Media learned about Iran's plans to buy $8 bln worth of weapons from Russia / flickr.com/photos/blondinrikard
Iranian military would like to purchase Russian military hardware and weaponry worth over $8 billion, according to Russia’s Kommersant newspaper citing its sources in the area of military-technical cooperation.
Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan arrived in Moscow for a two-day visit. The program of visit includes negotiations with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu and Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin. According to a source close to the Kremlin, General Dehghan on Tuesday is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
According to the publication, Tehran has already handed Moscow a list of military equipment and weapons that the Iranian military would like to purchase. The list is now considered by the Defense Ministry, the Government, and the Kremlin.
The Iranian side is reported to be interested in buying Su-30SM fighter jets, combat-capable Yak-130 training aircraft, Mi-8 and Mi-17-type helicopters, Bastion coastal mobile missile systems equipped with supersonic Yakhont anti-ship missile, surface frigate class ships, diesel-electric submarines, and other military equipment.
Read alsoIran to continue upgrading missile might: Foreign MinistryBut two factors may interfere with these plans: Tehran expects to buy Russian weapons on credit, but Moscow is not ready for this option due to the economic crisis; the other obstacle is the UN Security Council Resolution No.2231, which imposed restrictions on the supply to Iran of conventional weapons.
Read alsoCanada to lift Tehran sanctions, allow Bombardier to export to IranEarlier, the commander of the ground forces Brigadier General Ahmad Reza Pourdastan said that Iran will not purchase Russian T-90 MBTs as the country counts on its own production.