Iran has signed a secret €500 million ($541 million) weapons agreement with Russia to acquire thousands of advanced portable air defence systems, aiming to restore military capabilities lost during last year’s conflict with Israel, according to the Financial Times.
The deal, reportedly finalized in Moscow in December after a visit by Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani, stipulates the phased delivery of 500 Verba shoulder-fired launch units and 2,500 9M336 missiles over three years from 2027 to 2029. The package also includes 500 night-vision targeting devices. Each missile is priced at €170,000, while launchers cost €40,000. The total contract value is approximately €495 million.
Iran had formally requested the systems in July 2025, shortly after a 12-day military confrontation with Israel in which US forces joined strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. During the conflict, Iran’s air defence infrastructure suffered significant damage, leaving gaps that the Israeli Air Force exploited. The Verba system, with infrared guidance, can be deployed by small mobile units, allowing Iran to establish flexible, dispersed defence positions without relying on fixed radar installations that proved vulnerable in previous attacks.
The transaction was facilitated by Ruhollah Katebi, an Iranian defence official in Moscow, and negotiated between Russia’s arms export body Rosoboronexport and Iran’s Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics. Russian media have acknowledged the contract but have not independently confirmed all details.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told CBS on February 22 that Tehran’s defensive capabilities have strengthened since the 12-day war. “We are in a stronger position now. We know how to defend ourselves, and we are fully prepared if hostilities resume,” he said.
Araghchi noted that while Iran experienced challenges with its air defence during the conflict, Israeli forces faced similar limitations, ultimately requesting a ceasefire after 12 days. The 2025 confrontation began on June 13, with Israel targeting Iranian sites, and Iran retaliating within 24 hours. The US joined the conflict on June 22, striking Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear facilities, and Iran responded with missile attacks on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. A ceasefire was implemented on June 24, 2025.
