Russia Agrees to Supply Iran With 90 Missile Launchers

Russia has agreed to supply Iran with 90 helicopter-mounted missile launchers designed for precision-guided weapons used extensively in the war against Ukraine. The export arrangement, documented in Russian defense industry production records for 2024 and 2025, identifies Iran as the buyer and highlights continued military cooperation between Moscow and Tehran. The Financial Times reported the agreement on November 5, 2026, citing documents obtained from Ukrainian private intelligence organization Dallas Analytics.

The records identify the customer as K-10, a designation used by Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport for Iran. The order covers 90 APU-L launchers primarily designed for Russia's Mi-28 attack helicopters. Each launcher can carry two LMUR guided missiles, also known as Izdeliye 305, which Russian forces have employed against Ukrainian targets since 2022.

However, the production records establish the existence of the export order, not whether Russia has completed the deliveries. The documents also list seven Russian customers and two foreign buyers, including China, which ordered 192 APU-305 launchers.

A May 2024 letter from Russian defense manufacturer Vympel urged the Mechanical Engineering Design Bureau (KBM) to accelerate component deliveries for APU-L and APU-305 launchers. Vympel warned that delays could threaten the fulfillment of nine contracts. The LMUR missile can change its flight path after launch, allowing operators to engage moving targets. According to Dallas Analytics, its speed reaches approximately 230 meters per second, enabling it to travel 14 kilometers in about one minute.

A representative of Dallas Analytics explained that the weapon's operational design allows helicopter crews to launch missiles and leave firing positions before opposing forces can respond. Iran's interest in Russian helicopter technology predates the latest agreement. Iranian officials confirmed an arrangement to acquire Mi-28 attack helicopters in November 2023, while images published in January 2026 showed an Mi-28 at an aviation facility in Tehran.

Nicole Grajewski of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace assessed that the agreement demonstrated Moscow's willingness to continue supplying Tehran despite Russia's own military equipment requirements during its war against Ukraine. The military relationship also includes Iranian assistance to Russia. Tehran previously supplied Shahed attack drones that Russian forces used against Ukraine and helped establish domestic production of the drones inside Russia.

Russian Mi-28NM helicopters have also become targets for Ukrainian drone operations. In October 2026, Ukraine's 115th Separate Mechanized Brigade targeted two Russian Mi-28NM helicopters over the Belgorod region within one week.

The first attack took place on October 14 using an FPV drone. The second involved a VB140 Flamingo fixed-wing interceptor drone manufactured by Ukrainian company Vinnytsia Bees.

Russian forces have also employed the Mi-28NM to intercept Ukrainian long-range drones. The helicopters have reportedly been adapted to launch smaller cruise missiles, including the S8000 Banderol and Dan-T.