Iran is believed to be seeking Russian help to upgrade its air-defence system around Tehran and other key industrial centres with the Almaz S-300PMU long-range and Tor-M1 short-range surface-to-air missiles. It is also said to be interested in upgrading its Sukhoi Su-24MK strike aircraft to extend their night attack capability and converting its MiG-29 air-defence fighters to the MiG-29SMT multirole variant.
Industry sources say a warming of relations resulted from a recent meeting between Iran's National Security secretary, Khasan Roukhani and Russian president Vladimir Putin.
In the 1990s Russia sold weapons worth $3.3 billion to Iran, including MiG-29 fighters and S-200VE long-range surface-to air missiles, but in 1995 the Kremlin cancelled projects with Iran under pressure from Washington. In December 2000, however, Russia resumed weapons deals, although since then it has only sold anti-tank missiles and helicopters.
Source: Flight International