Rumors and prospects. Iranian missiles for the Russian army
Launch of Fateh-110 missiles during exercises, 2012. Photo by Ypa.ir
The foreign press reports that Russia and Iran are developing cooperation in the military-technical sphere and are preparing a new supply of weapons. This time, the Iranian side will have to transfer two types of missile systems to the Russian army. With their help, Russia will be able to strengthen its missile forces and gain new combat capabilities. At the same time, there is no official information about such deliveries or about their preparation.
Unconfirmed Information
On October 16, an American product The Washington Post reported on a new episode of Russian-Iranian cooperation. Information about this was received from several unnamed sources in US intelligence circles. It is noted that some of these persons have previously provided information on the supply of Iranian drones. This fact is given as an indirect proof of the veracity of the new information.
It is reported that American intelligence recently learned about the secret preparation of a new batch of Iranian weapons to send to Russia. This time, Fateh-110 and Zolfaghar missile systems are being prepared for transfer. The number and timing of the shipment of such weapons are not ready to be named. Similar processes in Iran have already been reported to the leadership of the United States and Ukraine.
However, TWP does not have confirmation of the information received. US intelligence, as well as Russian and Iranian officials, declined to comment. news. At the same time, the publication quotes statements from the Iranian Foreign Ministry. In recent weeks, various representatives of the department have indicated that Iran does not supply its military products to conflict zones.
The American publication also provides estimates of the mentioned missiles and tries to predict their hypothetical impact on the course of hostilities. In addition, they are looking for possible prerequisites for the proposed purchase of Iranian weapons. In particular, it is once again asserted that Russia is running out of missile weapons.
Launchers "Fateh-110" (right) and "Zolfagar" (left). Photo Tasnim News
Late version [/center]
Whether the TWP message is true is unknown. The situation can be clarified only by official data from the Russian or Iranian side. In addition, a demonstration of the use of missile systems as part of the Special Operation may become an answer to current questions. When such materials will appear and whether they will appear at all is a big question.
Product "Conqueror"
TWP mentions two types of missile systems. The first is "Fateh-110" ("Conqueror-110"). This is an Iranian-designed operational-tactical missile system designed to destroy concentrations of troops and equipment, command posts, infrastructure facilities, etc. Several modifications of such an OTRK with different combat characteristics have been developed.
The first version of the Fateh-110 was created from the mid-nineties and was put into service in 2002. Subsequently, the Iranian industry carried out several upgrades aimed at improving the basic combat characteristics. In addition, on the basis of this OTRK, missile systems of other classes were created, both with ballistic and anti-ship missiles.
In all cases, the "Conqueror" is a mobile soil complex on a three-axle automobile chassis. A launcher for a missile with drives for guidance in two planes is mounted on the chassis. In the first modifications, one guide was used, in later versions two were used. Ammunition is installed openly, without the use of a container. Rough aiming at the target is carried out by correctly placing the launcher in position and raising the guide to the desired angle.
As part of all variants of the Fateh-110 OTRK, solid-propellant ballistic missiles are used. These products have a starting weight of approx. 3,5 t with a length of up to 9 m and a diameter of 600 mm. On the outer surface of the rocket there are rudders and stabilizers. The missile has controls and guidance based on inertial and satellite navigation. In 2018, the Fateh-Mobin control system was introduced, including an infrared homing head.
Serial production of Fateh-110 missiles of the third version, 2012. Photo by Fars News
Missiles of the Fateh-110 family are equipped with monoblock high-explosive fragmentation warheads of various types. The mass of these products is 650 or 450 kg, depending on the modification of the rocket.
The firing range grew as the project developed. The first version of the OTRK, adopted in 2002, had a range of 200 km. In the next upgrade, this parameter was brought up to 250 km. In 2010, a "third generation" missile with a range of 300 km was introduced. Subsequently, this parameter was not increased.
Deep upgrade
One of the options for the development of the "Conqueror" was the Zolfaghar missile system ("Zolfaghar" or "Zulfikar" - the sword of the Prophet Muhammad), presented in 2016. During its development, the existing architecture and some technical solutions were preserved. However, due to the refinement and improvement of the rocket, the firing range was increased to 700 km. As a result, the complex moved from the category of operational-tactical to the class of shorter range.
Externally, the Zolfagar rocket is similar to the Fateh-110 product. However, it is larger and heavier. The lengthening of the hull by 1,5 m made it possible to introduce a solid-propellant engine with improved performance. The missile is used by a self-propelled launcher with two guides, similar to the Fateh-110 OTRK combat vehicle.
The Zolfagar rocket is equipped with a control system based on satellite and inertial navigation. According to various sources, at the maximum range, the QUO is achieved no more than tens of meters. In addition, the ammunition can be equipped with a Fateh-Mobin head, which provides full guidance in the final phase of the flight.
Launcher for two missiles. Photo by Wikimedia Commons
There is no exact information about the warhead. Probably, the Zolfaghar rocket receives a high-explosive fragmentation charge weighing up to 600-650 kg and is comparable in power to the Fateh-110. Abroad, assumptions are being made about the fundamental possibility of installing a special warhead.
Benefits and potential
Whether the information from The Washington Post is true is not yet known. However, nothing prevents us from considering the mentioned Iranian missiles and evaluating them from the point of view of the usefulness and necessity of the Russian army. In general, such weapons may be of some interest and be considered as an addition to domestic systems.
The Fateh-110 product belongs to the OTRK class and can be considered a functional analogue of the Russian Iskander complex. However, the Iranian complex is inferior to the Russian one in terms of the range of ammunition and firing range. A clear advantage is only the mass of the warhead.
A complex of this kind can be used as an addition to the Iskander in certain situations - when the launch range does not exceed 300 km. The joint use of two different systems is unlikely to give fundamental advantages of a combat nature, but it will improve the economic and operational performance of missile units.
The characteristics of the Zolfagar shorter-range complex look much more interesting. A missile of this type can fly 700 km, and in this respect is superior to the Iskander ammunition. When launched from Russian territory, such missiles will be able to attack targets in most of Ukraine and hit them with the required accuracy and effect.
Assembling the rocket "Zolfagar". Photo Tasnim News
It should be noted that the advantages of Zolfagar in range have objective prerequisites. Thus, Iran, unlike our country, did not sign the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. Accordingly, he had the right to develop land systems with a range of 500 to 5500 km - and actively used this opportunity. Our army does not have such systems yet. However, the INF Treaty has ceased to exist, and now Russia can create and use the INF and IRBM.
It should also be recalled that Iran is not part of the Missile Technology Control Regime agreement. Thanks to this, he can freely sell and transfer finished products or technologies for the manufacture of missiles with a range of more than 300 km and a warhead heavier than 500 kg. Accordingly, the Fateh-110 and Zolfaghar complexes in any version can be sold to foreign countries.
Nomenclature expansion
If the data of the foreign press is true, then in the near future new foreign complexes will appear in service with the Russian missile forces and artillery. Iranian-made products will be able to complement the existing domestic designs and improve the operational and fire capabilities of the troops.
However, information from the TWP publication and its sources may be erroneous, and the delivery of Fateh-110 or Zolfagar missiles is not planned. In this case, the Russian army will continue to use available weapons that have shown themselves well in the Special Operation. They will fully cope with the further solution of problems without the help of foreign counterparts.
Information