Photos have surfaced on social media, citing Iranian sources, that allegedly show the process of delivering Fath-360 operational-tactical missile systems (also designated BM-120) and Arman air defense systems (reportedly also known as Ababil) to the Iranian port of Bandar-e-Anzali on the Caspian Sea.
The very fact that Bandar-e-Anzali is located on the Caspian Sea, suggests that these missile systems may be prepared for direct shipment to russia.
Read more: Iran Denies Interest in russian S-400, Cites Superior Domestic Air Defense Systems: Which Ones?
For accuracy, we cannot clearly identify whether these Iranian missile systems are indeed heading to the mentioned port and whether this weaponry will subsequently be transported to russian territory. This is especially relevant given that, at the end of December 2024, Iran expressed unexpected interest in Chinese JF-17 aircraft from Pakistan, which clearly indicates that something may be amiss with russian fighter jets from Iran’s perspective.
Nevertheless, even if this is merely disinformation, it must still be considered, especially since this concerns a new model of Iranian weaponry first unveiled in February 2024.
Indeed, the first presentation of the Iranian Arman air defense system took place only at the beginning of last year. Very few photos of this system are available in the public domain, but Iranian statements about its capabilities exist.
It is claimed, for instance, that the Arman air defense system can engage aerial targets at a range of up to 120 kilometers and an altitude of up to 27 kilometers. The Sayyad-3F missile for this system has a launch weight of about 1,000 kilograms and a claimed flight speed of up to Mach 5.
Each launcher can carry three missiles (a six-missile version is also reportedly available), though the specific composition of the battery remains undisclosed. It is also claimed that the Arman system can allegedly intercept not only enemy aircraft and cruise missiles but also short-range ballistic missiles.
As for the characteristics of the Fath-360 missile systems, we have previously discussed the potential threat posed by these missiles in one of our publications. Additionally, it is worth considering the response of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR) in September 2024 regarding Iranian Fath-360 missiles for russia, which at the time seemed perplexing.
At the same time, it should not be excluded that this situation could have a much more mundane explanation. Specifically, the aforementioned missile systems may indeed be heading from Iran to russia, but not for immediate use in the war against Ukraine. Instead, they might be intended for initial testing at russia’s Kapustin Yar test site in the Astrakhan region.
For russia, the Kapustin Yar test site is one of the main facilities used for testing all kinds of missile systems, such as intermediate-range ballistic missiles like the Kedar/Oreshnik.
Read more: Ukraine's Intelligence Reveals Number of Iranian Fath-360 Missiles Delivered to russia
