MOSCOW: Iran has signed a reported $600 million agreement with Russia to acquire Verba portable air defence systems as part of efforts to reinforce its air defence capabilities, the Financial Times reported.
According to the report, the agreement was concluded in Moscow in December last year. The deal reportedly includes the delivery of 500 Verba launch units and approximately 2,500 9M336 surface-to-air missiles over a three-year period.
The Verba system is described as one of Russia’s modern man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS). It is designed to target low-flying aircraft, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles using infrared guidance technology.
The Financial Times cited sources familiar with the matter as saying that deliveries are expected to be completed between 2027 and 2029. The report added that a limited number of systems may have already been transferred.
Iran has not publicly confirmed the details of the agreement. Russian authorities have also not issued an official statement regarding the reported transaction.
The reported deal comes amid ongoing regional security tensions and follows previous discussions between Tehran and Moscow on defence cooperation.
Further details regarding payment structure, training arrangements or deployment plans were not disclosed in the report.
