Russia’s construction of a large-scale drone factory has fueled tensions with Tehran, CNN reported Friday, citing an unnamed Western intelligence source. The source said Russia has fully integrated Iranian Shahed-136 attack drones into its new mass-production facility on Russian soil.
Consulting satellite images, security analysts have assessed that the new factory will eventually enable Moscow to “export an updated and battle-tested version of the drone it originally imported from Iran – maybe even to Tehran itself.”
In late 2022, Iran acknowledged supplying drones to Russia, a move that has played a significant role in Moscow’s war against Ukraine. Tehran also provided missiles to the Russian military.
The Wall Street Journal reported in early 2023 that Russia decided to build a drone factory with Iranian assistance. The SEZ Alabuga factory was allegedly designed to produce at least 6,000 drones for the Russian war effort in Ukraine. This cooperation was intended to be part of a wider military alliance between Russia and Iran.
Located in the Alabuga industrial zone, about 600 miles from Moscow, the new factory has significantly boosted Russia’s domestic drone production, sharply reducing its dependence on Iranian supplies. Intelligence officials estimate that Russia is now 90% self-sufficient in drone manufacturing.
“Aluminum bars come in, engines are made from them; microelectronics are made from electric chips; fuselages are made from carbon fiber and fiberglass – this is a complete location,” the SEZ Alabuga CEO Timur Shagivaleev stated in a documentary.
The Iranian regime is reportedly dissatisfied with Russia for failing to provide military support during the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel in June. Moscow has also yet to fulfill its pledge to supply the Iranian military with fighter jets and new missile defense systems, according to reports.
Western security officials say they are not surprised that Russia has withheld additional military assistance to Iran.
“This explicit disengagement demonstrates that Russia never intervenes beyond its immediate interests, even when a partner – here an essential supplier of drones – is attacked,” Western analysts told CNN.
Ali Akbar Dareini, a security analyst at the Tehran-based Center for Strategic Studies, while critical of Russia, said he was not surprised that Moscow chose not to assist Tehran during the war with Israel, noting that the Russia–Iran relationship involves “both cooperation and competition.”
“It’s obvious that Russians want more, to get more and give less, and this is this applies to Iran as well,” Dareini said. “Iran has provided Russia with drones and technology and the factory, and it has not been for free.”
