"Iran Signs Agreement with Russia on Drone Production Technology Transfer... Concerns Over Surge in Drone Bombings"

More Drones Expected in Ukraine Airstrikes
"Iran Likely to Receive Nuclear Technology from Russia Instead"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Concerns are rising that drone attacks on Ukraine may intensify as Iran is reported to have signed an agreement to transfer unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) production technology to Russia. Western authorities warn that in exchange for providing drones to Russia, Iran may receive more nuclear technology transfers.

On the 20th (local time), The Washington Post (WP), citing a senior U.S. official familiar with Iran-Russia relations, reported, "Russia and Iran signed a technology transfer agreement earlier this month at a meeting held in Iran for the domestic production of Iranian drones in Russia," adding, "Once Russia can produce them independently, it is expected to secure a large number of relatively inexpensive yet highly destructive drones for airstrikes."

In fact, delegations from both countries recently held consultations in Tehran, the capital of Iran. According to Russia's TASS news agency, on the 9th, a delegation led by Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Russian Security Council, visited Tehran and discussed sanctions against Russia and Iran as well as bilateral cooperation matters. The specific details of the negotiations were not disclosed, but it is presumed that drone technology transfer was discussed during the delegation's talks.

Since August, Russia has imported more than 400 drones from Iran to strengthen airstrikes against Ukraine and has utilized them in air raids on major cities across Ukraine. With the worsening situation of Russian forces and Ukraine's recapture of Kherson, Russia, having depleted its stock of precision-guided missiles, resorted to importing relatively inexpensive Iranian drones for airstrikes.

On the other hand, some analyses suggest that this technology transfer agreement reflects Iran's position to avoid direct responsibility for involvement in the war. WP, citing key Western officials, stated, "Iran has so far disguised itself as maintaining neutrality in the Ukraine war, but with the discovery of drones imported from Iran, it now faces additional sanctions against Iran," adding, "If the drones are assembled entirely in Russia, Iran believes it can evade new sanctions."

The U.S. government and the United Nations delegation dispatched to Iran have refused to provide specific answers regarding the Iran-Russia technology transfer agreement. However, the UN delegation indicated the possibility of drone technology transfer, stating, "Even before the Ukraine conflict, both Iran and Russia have maintained research cooperation in defense and scientific fields."

Michael Knights, an expert at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, a U.S. think tank, explained, "Russia has not invested in developing suicide drones widely used in the Middle East," adding, "From Russia's standpoint, having already used thousands of guided missiles in the Ukraine war, its dependence on Iranian drones will increasingly deepen."

Meanwhile, concerns are also emerging that Iran may receive nuclear technology transfers from Russia. WP pointed out, "The price Iran seeks from Russia remains unclear, but it may request additional support for nuclear development," noting, "Russia has previously supported Iran with surveillance satellite and rocket development technologies."