According to Russian defense industry documents revealed by the Financial Times (FT), Iran ordered 90 APU-L missile launch systems from Russia. While it was stated in the documents that Iran was identified with the code name "K-10", it was claimed that Moscow continued to support missile technology and military equipment to Tehran. The allegation that Russia secretly helped Iran to develop a supersonic cruise missile was brought to the agenda.
"K-10" CODE FOR IRAN IN RUSSIA'S PRODUCTION DOCUMENTS
An order for 90 APU-L missile launch systems for Iran was detected in the Russian defense industry's production program covering 2024 and 2025, obtained by the Financial Times. It was stated that the "K-10" code used by Russia's state arms exporter to identify Iran was included in the production schedule.
According to the news, Vympel, one of Russia's leading missile and launch systems design companies, sent a letter to the Russian defense industry organization KB Mashinostroyeniya (KBM). Vympel requested that deliveries of components for the "APU-L" and "APU-305" type launch systems be accelerated. The company warned that delays in the procurement process could put nine contracts at risk.
The letter, dated May 2024, stated that delays in the delivery of launch system components could jeopardize various contracts. The production schedule attached to the letter included seven Russian and two foreign customers. It was claimed that China ordered 192 APU-305 type systems, while the customer codenamed "K-10" requested 90 APU-L launch systems.
Production documents did not reveal whether the order for Iran was delivered.
MISSILE SYSTEMS WERE DESIGNED FOR WEAPONS USED IN UKRAINE
It was stated that APU-L launch systems were designed to carry Russia's light multi-purpose guided missile known as LMUR or Izdeliye 305. The precision-guided missile, which can hit moving targets, entered the Russian army's inventory in 2022 and has been widely used in Ukraine since then.
The operator can guide the missile during its flight and make the necessary adjustments to the target. According to the US Army's Worldwide Equipment Guide, APU-L launch systems were developed for Russia's Mi-28 attack helicopters. Each system can carry two missiles.
It is known that Iran also purchased Russian-made Mi-28 helicopters. Iranian officials announced the completion of delivery arrangements in November 2023. According to the Financial Times, images published on the internet in January 2026 showed a Mi-28 type helicopter at an aviation facility in Tehran.
The production documents reviewed by the newspaper were provided by Ukraine-based private intelligence agency Dallas Analytics.
RUSSIA'S CLAIM OF SUPERSONIC MISSILE SUPPORT TO IRAN
In another study published in September, the Financial Times claimed that Russia was secretly helping Iran develop supersonic cruise missile technology within the scope of the program codenamed C430L.
According to leaked Russian cables, travel records and military patents reviewed by the newspaper, the program started in 2023. It was claimed that the work continued during the war between the USA, Israel and Iran this year.
The main goal of the project was to develop a ramjet propulsion system that could increase the missile's flight to several times the speed of sound. It was evaluated that such a system could reduce the response time of the air defense elements of the USA and its allies.
“For the Iranians, this means a qualitatively new strategic weapons system that could threaten US Navy ships,” former CIA military analyst and Iran expert Jim Lamson told the Financial Times.
According to the newspaper's research, Iran developed the thruster system and conducted flight tests. However, no evidence has been found to show that the supersonic cruise missile developed with the support of Russia has begun to be used operationally.
Russian engineers reportedly traveled to Iran many times and studied data from flight tests. It was claimed that the engineers gave advice to Iranian officials on fuel systems, combustion stability, air intake and engine design.
Fabian Hinz, senior analyst at Conflict Armament Research, said in his assessment to the Financial Times in September, "This is the transfer from Russia of a strategically sensitive military technology that the Iranians have wanted to obtain for decades."
RUSSIA WILL ALSO PROVIDE VERBA AIR DEFENSE SYSTEMS TO IRAN
The launch system agreement and the missile development program brought to the agenda the allegations that Russia was not only supplying military equipment to Iran but also transferring technical information.
The Financial Times also reported that Moscow has agreed to supply Tehran with Verba-type shoulder-launched air defense systems.
Military cooperation developed mutually between the two countries. Iran had previously provided Russia with Shahed type unmanned aerial vehicles used in attacks in Ukraine. Tehran also helped Moscow build capacity for the production of these vehicles in Russia.
The military partnership between Moscow and Tehran has strengthened further during conflicts in the Middle East this year, Western intelligence officials said, even as US President Donald Trump claimed Russia had done "little to nothing" against Iran.
