Russia has been involved in a secret program to develop supersonic cruise missiles for Iran since 2023, the Financial Times reported. The outlet cited data from leaked Russian correspondence, expert travel records, and an analysis of military patents.
The program’s main objective was to assist Tehran in developing a ramjet engine, which allows a cruise missile to sustain flight at speeds several times the speed of sound for extended periods.
Cooperation in missile technologies
On the Russian side, the project was organized by Rosoboronexport together with NPO Mashinostroyeniya. High-ranking engineers from the company, specializing in missile systems, aerodynamics, and ramjet engines, made repeated trips to Iran. Russian experts reviewed the results of Iranian tests, helped identify design flaws, and prepared recommendations for refinements, the Financial Times noted.
Experts interviewed by the journalists believe this technology could be used for anti-ship missiles and weapons targeting ground-based objectives. Such missiles could pose an additional threat to U.S. aircraft carriers and other vessels in the Middle East.
Iran has already manufactured a ramjet engine and conducted flight tests. However, it remains unclear whether supersonic missiles have entered service. Negotiations to extend the program continued at least through the summer of 2026.
The Financial Times reported that the program was already active in 2024. At that time, Vladimir Putin threatened that Russia could begin supplying long-range missiles to regions from which strikes could be launched against Western targets. The outlet had previously reported that Moscow agreed to supply Iran with portable Verba air defense systems.
Source: Novaya Gazeta Europe
