Russia Agrees 2024 Supply of 90 APU-L Missile Launchers to Iran Amid Sanctions Pressure
What happened
Leaked internal defense records reveal a 2024 Russian agreement to supply Iran with 90 helicopter-mounted precision missile launchers.
The Context
* The hardware exchange: Production schedules from Russian manufacturer Vympel detail an export run of 90 APU-L launchers for LMUR precision-guided missiles, configured for Iran's Mi-28 attack helicopters. * The strategic foundation: The transfer operationalizes bilateral cooperation following a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty signed in January 2025 and enacted in October 2025. * The reciprocal pipeline: After supplying Moscow with drones, artillery, and ballistic missiles for use in Ukraine, Tehran is securing advanced aviation upgrades alongside confirmed procurements of Su-35 fighter aircraft.
The Number
— the quantity of advanced APU-L precision missile launchers scheduled for Iranian delivery, marking a tangible milestone in technology transfers between two major non-Western defense industrial bases.
Takeaway
Expect deeper industrial and military coordination between Moscow and Tehran to continue recalibrating security calculations across regional transit lanes and Gulf trade hubs.
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