What's on Iran's shopping list if the UN arms embargo is lifted?

Iran could threaten Gulf states after upgrading its armed forces, experts have warned

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Iran will have a range of advanced military equipment it can choose from if the UN arms embargo ends in October.

High on Tehran's list will be highly manoeuvrable Russian-made fighter aircraft, as well as some of its most advanced surface-to-air missiles.

But Chinese weapons systems are likely to provide tough competition to Russia's offering.

Chinese fighter jets and missiles may not be as advanced as those produced in Russia, but their lower cost could prove tempting to cash-strapped Tehran.

Below are some of the jets, missiles and submarines singled out by experts at the International Institute for Strategic Studies as potential purchases.

Combat aircraft

Russia's Su-30SM

epa06324825 The Russian Knights aerobatic team performs close range manoeuvres with Sukhoi Su-30 fighters during the opening day of Dubai Airshow, UAE, 12 November 2017.  EPA/MARTIN DOKOUPIL
Sukhoi Su-30 fighters seen on the opening day of the 2017 Dubai Airshow. EPA
  • Highly manoeuvrable multi-role variant of the Flanker aircraft family
  • Similar to American F-15E Strike Eagle
  • Deep interdiction and strike missions
  • Air-to-air fighter
  • All weather. Good reliability
  • Operational with Russian Air Force in Syria

China's J-10 Firebird

J-10 fighter jets of the Bayi Aerobatic Team perform at an airshow in 2014. AFP
J-10 fighter jets of the Bayi Aerobatic Team perform at an airshow in 2014. AFP
  • Light, fast and agile
  • In service with Chinese air force and navy
  • Was a specialised fighter but now capable of ground attack, too
  • Radar is said to be very good – Chinese claim better than European Typhoon
  • Single seat, single engine
  • Top speed of about 2,700kph
  • Allegedly copied from an early Israeli design

Russia's MiG-35

A scale model of a MIG-35 being installed at the Berlin Air Show. EPA
A scale model of a MIG-35 being installed at the Berlin Air Show. EPA
  • All-out fighter jet with advanced avionics and weapon systems
  • Has unique precision targeting system
  • Able to conduct independent missions
  • Cheaper but less capable than the Su-30SM

China and Pakistan's JF-17 Thunderbird

Pakistan's JF-17 Thunder aircraft on display at the Dubai Airshow. AFP
Pakistan's JF-17 Thunder aircraft on display at the Dubai Airshow. AFP
  • Cheapest option to buy
  • Uses include interception, anti-ship, ground attack and reconnaissance
  • Combat proven – Pakistani JF-17s allegedly shot down Indian MiG-21 and Su-30M in 2019
  • Available for export

Air defence missiles

S-400 Growler

epa07647266 (FILE) - A Russian military official walks in front of The S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft missile system during the Army 2017 International Military Technical Forum in Patriot Park outside Moscow, Russia, 22 August 2017 (reissued 14 June 2019). The S-400 system can simultaneously hit 36 targets within a radius of 400 kilometres and up to an altitude of 27 kilometres - for many states this means a significant expansion of their defence capabilities. In recent years, many countries have bought  or intend to buy the Russian S-400 air defence system, including China, Saudi Arabia, India and Qatar. The most prominent and sensitive case for NATO is Turkey. Turkey intends to purchase the advanced Russian S-400 air defence system, the first missiles and their associated radars could start to be delivered in July 2019.  EPA/YURI KOCHETKOV *** Local Caption *** 53719076
A Russian military official walks past an S-400 anti-aircraft missile system. EPA
  • One of the world's most advanced anti-aircraft missiles
  • Russia engaged in major export drive and will sell to Iran if official request made
  • Radar system can track 100 targets simultaneously
  • Effective at extremely long ranges of more than 300km
  • Maximum velocity 7,240kph carrying large 180kg warhead
  • One central system can control 72 launchers and 384 missiles

Russia's S-300PMU2 Grumble

S-300 PMU2 missiles seen during rehearsals for Russia's Victory Day Parade. The National
S-300 PMU2 missiles seen during rehearsals for Russia's Victory Day Parade. The National
  • Old but remains a potent anti-aircraft missile
  • Significantly cheaper than S-400
  • Russia capable of producing second-hand S-300 systems for export as per Syria
  • Can defend against cruise missiles and aircraft and can intercept ballistic missiles.
  • Criticised by Syrian official as ineffective against Israeli air attacks

China's FD-2000 Fang Dun

An HQ-9 portable launcher during China's 60th anniversary parade in 2009, Beijing. Jian Kang / Wikimedia
An HQ-9 portable launcher during China's 60th anniversary parade in 2009, Beijing. Jian Kang / Wikimedia
  • Well-regarded medium to long-range missile
  • Seen as somewhere between S-400 and S-300 in capability
  • Maximum range 200km with large 180kg warhead
  • Maximum speed 5,150kph
  • May not yet be ready for export

Submarines

Russia's Varshavyanka Kilo class upgrade

Iranian military personnel place a national flag on a submarine during the "Velayat-90" navy exercises in the Strait of Hormuz in southern Iran on January 3, 2012, the End day of ten-day war games. Iran's military warned one of the US navy's biggest aircraft carriers to keep away from the Gulf, in an escalating showdown over Tehran's nuclear drive that could pitch into armed confrontation.
AFP PHOTO/JAMEJAMONLINE/EBRAHIM NOROOZI (Photo by EBRAHIM NOROOZI / JAMEJAM ONLINE / AFP)
Iranian submarine during navy exercises in the Strait of Hormuz January 3, 2012. AFP
  • Anti-shipping, anti-submarine vessel excellent in shallow waters such as the Gulf
  • Project 636 Varshavyanka-class is modernised variant of older Kilo class operated by Iran
  • Extended combat range, can strike land targets
  • Speed of 20 knot and can dive 300 metres. Crew of 52
  • Carries cruise missiles, torpedoes and mines
  • Iran may choose to simply upgrade its existing hulls rather than buy a new model

China's Yuan class

  • Among the quietest diesel-electric submarines in service
  • Able to hide underwater for several days
  • Excellent in shallow waters close to coastlines
  • Capable of firing cruise missiles against ships
  • Anti-submarine role

Guided missiles

Iran is particularly interested in faster, longer-range anti-ship and land-attack missiles.

If the embargo is not renewed, Iran will likely want to invest in new weapons to supplement its own, domestically-produced missiles.

Both Russia and China has been developing advanced missiles capable of hitting targets at sea or on land, over extreme distances.

Iran has already shown willingness to use long-range missiles, and new weapons would add to Tehran's defensive and offensive capabilities in the region.

Chinese or Russian missiles would give Iran the ability to hit targets hundreds of kilometres away.

Iran could seek to play the two powers against one another in order boost its forces as cheaply as possible.

Russia’s Yakhont missile

An explosion is seen after a new Iranian locally made cruise missile was fired during war games in the northern Indian Ocean and near the entrance to the Gulf, Iran June 17, 2020. Picture taken June 17, 2020. WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY
Iran is also testing its own domestically produced anti-ship missiles. WANA
  • Supersonic anti-ship cruise missile
  • Fire and forget with full autonomy
  • Supersonic speed, sea skimming
  • Used on warships, submarines and land launchers

China's YJ-18 Eagle Strike missile

  • Similar to Russian Klub cruise missile
  • Anti-ship and land attack
  • Possible range of 480km with 'sprint' range of 40km
  • Launch from submarine torpedo tube
  • Carries a 300kg high-explosive warhead
  • Anti-radar warhead can destroy electronics at short range
  • Availability for export uncertain