Russia is secretly helping Iran develop supersonic cruise missiles, according to an investigation by the Financial Times published on Wednesday. The program, with the code name C430L, began in 2023 and represents a new phase of military cooperation between the two countries.
The program was organized by the Russian state arms exporter, Rosoboronexport, in coordination with NPO Mashinostroyenia, a Russian company that is subject to US sanctions. This partnership allows Russia to provide advanced military technology to Iran through secret channels.
According to experts cited in the report, these supersonic missiles would likely be used in anti-ship attacks and against ground targets. Supersonic cruise missiles represent a significant threat due to their speed and maneuverability, making them more difficult to intercept than conventional missiles.