Russia Spends US$1.75 Billion (RM7.8 Billion), Gold to Build Shahed-136 Suicide Drone Manufacturing Facility
Previous reports indicated that Iran is assisting Russia by supplying essential equipment and components for the production of these suicide drones, enabling the rapid establishment of a Shahed drone manufacturing plant in Yelabuga, Tatarstan, located to the east of Moscow.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Russia reportedly spend US$1.75 billion (RM7.8 billion) to produce approximately 6,000 Iranian-made “Shahed-136” suicide drones in its local facility, which Moscow used to target military infrastructure in Ukraine.
According to a report by Militirnaryi, the agreement was reached with Iran to establish a manufacturing facility for these drones within Russia over a period of 2.5 years after the agreement with Tehran.
The report also indicates that initially, Iran requested Russia to pay US$375,000 (RM1.7 million) for a Shahed suicide drone.
However, through negotiations, the amount was reduced to US$193,000 (RM923,000) for each of the 6,000 suicide drones.
In the event that Russia only desires 2,000 Shahed drones, they would be required to pay US$290,000 (RM1.3 million), as outlined in the agreement.
The deal between Russia and Tehran encompasses the transfer of technology, equipment, 6,000 drones, and software.
A hacked report from a company allegedly associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claims that Russia was cooperating with Iran to establish a Shahed drone manufacturing facility within Russia.
The IRGC-associated company is reportedly named “Sahara Thunder.”
The report from the compromised documents of “Sahara Thunder” also asserts that Russia is utilizing gold as part of the agreement with Iran.
Moscow is said to be paying approximately 2 million grams of gold as part of the overall cost of the deal with Iran.
Russian forces have previously employed Iranian suicide drones like Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 to target various sites in Ukraine, including buildings, public infrastructure, power plants, oil storage facilities, among others.
U.S. officials have noted an improvement in the capabilities of Iranian drone systems since 2014, starting from their use by Tehran-backed Houthi militants in attacks against Saudi Aramco’s oil and gas facilities to assaults on commercial ships in the Persian Gulf and now on the battlefield in Ukraine.
Previous reports indicated that Iran is assisting Russia by supplying essential equipment and components for the production of these suicide drones, enabling the rapid establishment of a Shahed drone manufacturing plant in Yelabuga, Tatarstan, located to the east of Moscow.
Reports about the proposal by Russia and Iran to set up a manufacturing facility for Shahed Iranian suicide drones in the country emerged in December 2022.
The United States has expressed concern, stating that this defense cooperation between Russia and Iran poses a threat to Ukraine, neighboring countries of Iran, and the international community.
The U.S. authorities emphasize their commitment to using all means to expose and disrupt these defense cooperation activities, sharing the information globally. — DSA
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