Financial Times Report: Russia Secretly Assisted Iran in Developing Supersonic Cruise Missiles

An investigative report by the Financial Times has revealed that Russia has been assisting Iran in developing advanced propulsion technology for supersonic cruise missiles under a secret program codenamed C430L. According to the report, senior Russian missile experts have repeatedly traveled to Iran, and the collaboration, which began in 2023, continued through 2026. The project aims to help Iran acquire 'ramjet' technology, which allows cruise missiles to fly at several times the speed of sound. Experts note that this technology, due to its high speed and low-altitude flight capability, makes detection and interception by air defense systems extremely difficult. Based on leaked documents, including Russian correspondence and travel records, engineers from the Russian company NPO Mashinostroyeniya have participated in analyzing Iranian flight test data and resolving design issues. Missile expert Fabian Hinz emphasized that the technical knowledge required to develop such complex weapons is held by only a few countries, and the field presence of Russian engineers to solve problems in real-time has been of strategic importance to Iran. While there is no evidence that these missiles have become operational, Russian President Vladimir Putin recently told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that Moscow is providing the assistance Iran needs during this 'difficult period'.