Iranian arms bound for Russia: Spotlight on new Arman system
Supplies of military equipment, likely destined for Russia, are heading to the Iranian port of Bandar-e-Anzali on the Caspian Sea. Alongside the Fath 360 ballistic missiles already utilised by Russia, the shipment also includes a new type of anti-aircraft weapon known as the Arman system, which was unveiled at the beginning of 2024.
The Ukrainian service Defence Express reports on the transport of Iranian weapons. Ukrainians emphasise that the ultimate destination of the Iranian equipment remains unknown for now, but the location of the port on the Caspian Sea suggests that the recipient of the weapons could be Russia.
This assumption is supported by the fact that Moscow has long benefited from military support provided by Tehran. In addition to the Shahed family drones, whose licensed production has been initiated in the Russian city of Yelabuga in the Republic of Tatarstan, Iran's support includes, among other things, Fath-360 ballistic missiles.
This list may soon be enhanced with new weaponry – the Arman air defence system.
New anti-aircraft system from Iran
This weapon was showcased publicly in 2024, but beyond the fact of its presentation, little is known about it. Information primarily comes from official Iranian sources, which could be tools of Tehran's propaganda or disinformation.
The Arman system's effector is the Sayyad-3 (Sayyad-3F) missiles, also known from other Iranian air defence systems. Arman is claimed to offer the capability to counter targets at altitudes up to 27 kilometres and distances up to 121 kilometres. Besides drones, cruise missiles, or aeroplanes, it is also reportedly capable—according to Iran—of intercepting ballistic missiles.
Arman air defence system
The system is supposed to provide the ability to simultaneously track up to 24 targets and guide missiles to six of them at the same time. Iran has likely developed two variants of the Arman system, differing in the type of radar used.
Ukrainians also note that—as Arman is a new weapon, its transport to Russia does not necessarily imply immediate use in combat. According to Defence Express, an alternative scenario is the use of the Russian Kapustin Yar range in the Astrakhan region for further testing and development of the new weapon.
