WP: Iran sends first batch of drones to Russia

The Iranian government sent the first batch of drones to Russia, which will be used during a special operation in Ukraine, informs The Washington Post (WP). However, according to US officials, during the tests, Iranian UAVs showed numerous malfunctions.

According to WP, on August 19, transport planes took off from Iran carrying at least two types of unmanned aerial vehicles capable of carrying ammunition to attack radars, artillery and other military targets. In particular, the UAVs of the Mohajer-6 and Shahed series became the first among the transferred drones. In the future, it is planned to transfer hundreds of Iranian UAVs of various types, White House officials told the newspaper.

Russia now has about 1,500 to 2,000 reconnaissance UAVs, but Russia does not have many drones capable of “delivering accurate strikes against targets deep in enemy territory,” writes WP. During the tests of Iranian drones in Russia, they began to identify problems in their work, a source told the newspaper. Also, according to him, “the Russians were dissatisfied” with the first tests.

June 21 Russian President Vladimir Putin declaredthat the Russian troops will use robotics, the latest control and reconnaissance tools, drones much more widely and actively develop weapons systems based on new physical principles (laser, electromagnetic weapons, etc.). According to him, in 2022 on combat duty it is planned to deliver the first heavy intercontinental ballistic missile “Sarmat”, and the S-500 air and missile defense systems have already begun to enter the troops.

July 12 Assistant to the President of the United States for National Security Jake Sullivan saidthat, according to Washington, the Iranian authorities plan to transfer to Russia several hundred drones, including those capable of carrying weapons. At the same time, according to Yury Ushakov, aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, President did not discuss the issue of deliveries of drones neither with Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi, nor with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

August 16 Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation signed a number of contracts for the manufacture and supply of UAVs. Among them are Orlan-10, Orlan-30, which will be manufactured by the Special Technology Center, the contract for the Inohodets UAV was concluded with the Kronstadt joint-stock company, and the contract for the Elektron-3 UAV with the joint-stock company ENICS Society.

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