Project ‘C430L’: How Russia secretly helped Iran develop supersonic cruise missiles
A covert Russian program known as "C430L" has been secretly aiding Iran in the development of advanced supersonic cruise missiles, according to a Financial Times investigation. The program, which began in 2023, aims to assist Iran in creating a ramjet propulsion system for cruise missiles capable of speeds several times faster than the speed of sound.
This technology, sought by Iran for decades, could provide Iran with a strategically significant new weapon system capable of threatening US Navy vessels in the Gulf. Russian arms exporter Rosoboronexport arranged the program and coordinated with Russian rocket design bureau NPO Mashinostroyenia. Despite efforts to restrict the transfer, Russian engineers analyzed data from an Iranian test flight and asked Tehran about various aspects of the ramjet's performance. The program continued through 2026 as Moscow and Tehran discussed further development.
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