Major Missile Deal Signed in Moscow
Iran has signed a $589 million contract with Russia to purchase thousands of advanced air defense weapons, according to reports. The agreement, finalized in Moscow in December, covers 500 Verba launchers and 2,500 9M336 missiles. Deliveries are scheduled in three phases between 2027 and 2029. The deal was signed between Russia’s state arms exporter Rosoboronexport and Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics. Tehran had formally requested the systems last July as part of efforts to strengthen its air defense network.
#Iran agreed a secret 500 million euro ($589 million) arms deal with #Russia to acquire thousands of advanced shoulder-fired missiles, the Financial Times reports.https://t.co/AhK5XRRyWZ
— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) February 22, 2026
What the Verba System Can Do?
The 9K333 Verba is a modern Russian man-portable air defense system designed to target low-flying aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and drones. Introduced into Russian service in 2014, it features a three-channel infrared seeker that improves resistance to countermeasures such as heat decoys. The system has a range of about 6 to 6.5 kilometers and can engage targets at altitudes up to roughly 4.5 kilometers. Its missile travels at around 600 meters per second and carries a high-explosive fragmentation warhead with contact and proximity fuses.
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Broader Military Cooperation Expands
Iran already operates Russian-made systems, including the S-300PMU2 and Tor missile launchers. Recent reports also suggest Tehran may receive Mi-28NE attack helicopters ordered in 2023, though footage circulating online has not been independently verified. Earlier reports indicated Iran also received Russian-made Spartak armored vehicles, pointing to deepening defense ties between the two countries.
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