Why Russia refused to supply S-400 system to Iran

Why doesn't Iran have Russia's S-400 air defense system to repel US and Israeli attacks?

After Israel launched a 12-day air campaign against Iran on June 13, and after the US deployed strategic bombers and nuclear attack submarines to target the country's nuclear sites, the state of Iran's air defense system has come under increasing pressure. Photo: @ Al Jazeera.

Many sources close to Iran and abroad were quick to blame Russia for not supplying advanced long-range air defense systems, specifically the S-400 system that is currently the backbone of Russia's arsenal, to Iran. Photo: @ Missile Threat - CSIS.

Even the former Vice President of the Iranian Parliament , Ali Motahari, is one of those who recently made similar criticisms. Photo: @ Defense Industry Europe.

Ali Motahari meaningfully that Russia had supplied these systems to Iran's rival Turkey and offered them to Saudi Arabia, but refused to supply them to Iran, as Moscow saw the need to maintain positive relations with Israel. Photo: @ militarnyi.

Ali Motahari also implied that Russia's actions were not “quid pro quo,” after Iran provided significant assistance and technology transfers to equip Russia with significant drone combat capabilities in its war with Ukraine. Photo: @ TRENDS Research & Advisory.

In fact, criticism of Russia's reluctance to provide advanced air defense systems is not without basis. Photo: @ Missile Threat - CSIS.

When Iran repeatedly expressed interest in purchasing predecessors to the S-400 in the 1990s and 2000s, such as the S-300PMU-1 or S-300PMU-2 long-range air defense systems, Russia repeatedly refused. In 2007, a contract for two similar systems was signed, but Russia eventually withdrew in 2009, reported due to pressure from the West and Israel. Photo: @militarnyi.

This has been a major factor in Iran's efforts to develop similar air defense systems domestically since then. However, after the signing of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear deal in 2015, and as Russian and Iranian forces began fighting together against Turkish, Western and Israeli-backed militants in Syria later that year, Moscow repeatedly demonstrated its willingness to provide advanced air defense systems, including the S-400. Photo: @militarnyi.

Russian government sources have repeatedly stated since 2019 that the country is ready to supply the S-400 system to Iran, after the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, Ali Shamkhani, expressed interest in purchasing advanced foreign weapons to strengthen the country's defense capabilities. Russian official sources in 2019 dismissed claims from many Western sources, claiming that information that Moscow had refused to supply the S-400 to Iran was fake news, stating that Iran had shown no interest in the system and therefore Russia was not able to proceed with the sale. Photo: @ militarnyi.

Then, in January 2020, Russian lawmakers backed the delivery of the S-400 system to Iran, with the leader of Russia's Liberal Democratic Party saying after the assassination of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in January 2020 that Moscow should "offer Iran an agreement on military cooperation and urgent sales of the most modern weapons so that no one dares to throw anything in Iran." He expressed confidence that the S-400, and possibly even the new S-500 system, would be able to "cover the entire sky over Iran." Photo: @ Defense Industry Europe.

However, Iranian officials have since repeatedly stated that the country's armed forces have little need for the S-400, with Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani dismissing reports of a planned purchase in March 2023, citing Iran's self-sufficiency in producing air defense equipment. He specifically highlighted the capabilities of the indigenous Bavar 373 system. Photo: @ Missile Threat - CSIS.

The Bavar 373 formed the backbone of Iran's air defense network at the beginning of the Israeli engagements, and was credited by local sources with shooting down three of the four F-35 stealth fighters. However, the poor density of Iran's air defense network and the F-35's operations deep inside Iranian territory have raised questions about the long-term effectiveness of the Bavar 373 system. Photo: @ Defense Industry Europe.

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/vi-sao-nga-tu-choi-cung-cap-he-thong-s-400-cho-iran-post1551884.html