New Delhi: Russia is secretly helping Iran develop advanced supersonic cruise missiles under a multi-year covert programme codenamed ‘C430L’, which could greatly strengthen Tehran’s ability to threatening US aircraft carriers in the Middle East, according to a Financial Times investigation report.
The report said C430L started in 2023 and involved some of Russia’s experienced missile specialists. The cooperation has continued into 2026, including help during the recent US-Israeli war against Iran.
The FT investigation is based on leaked Russian correspondence, travel records and military patents.
The main purpose of this programme is to help Iran develop a Ramjet propulsion system, an engine that helps cruise missiles fly faster than the speed of sound.
Military experts quoted in the report said the technology could be used for both anti-ship and land-attack missiles.
Their high speed and ability to fly at low altitude prevent air defence systems from detecting supersonic cruise missiles in time to intercept them.
“This is the transfer of a highly strategically sensitive military technology from Russia that the Iranians have wanted to acquire for decades,” said Fabian Hinz, an expert on Iranian missiles under Conflict Armament Research.
The FT investigation also found that Russian representatives from NPO Mashinostroyenia, a missile manufacturer, frequently travelled to Iran before the C430L contract was signed with Iran’s Defence Ministry in November 2023.
Russian engineers also analysed data from Iranian flight tests and held consultations with Tehran on the missile engine’s fuel system, combustion stability, air intake and nozzle performance.
In April 2025, about two dozen Russian specialists travelled to Iran for further technical consultations.
According to the report, neither Kremlin nor NPO Mashinostroyenia have responded to FT‘s requests for a comment. Nor has Iran responded.
This cooperation can benefit Iran in the long term by helping it work on its master Ramjet technology and help create weapons indigenously.
The programme comes amid deepening military ties between Moscow and Tehran. Iran has supplied Russia with Shahed drones used during the Ukraine war, while Russia has provided military and technological assistance to Iran.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
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