ISW explains how Moscow and Tehran will benefit from drone factories in Belarus and Russia

This is stated in the report of the Institute for the Study of War.

In Tehran on August 1, Iranian Armed Forces General Staff Chief Mohammad Bagheri addressed Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin with a call to expand defense cooperation between the two countries.

Subsequently, the defense ministers of Belarus and Iran discussed the creation of a factory for the production of kamikaze drones in Belarus to support the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

It is noted that the construction of an Iranian drone factory in Belarus will ease the logistical problems faced by Russia in transporting Iranian drones from Iran to Russia through the Middle East.

It is noted that the British secret intelligence service revealed in July that Iran is seeking to receive cash from Russia in exchange for Iranian drones.

Russia can also benefit the Iranian army, experts say.

For example, at the end of 2022, Western media suggested that Iran could receive Russian Su-35 fighter jets in exchange for the supply of drones to Russia. However, Iranian military officials have increasingly expressed skepticism about receiving the Su-35 in recent months. In March, Western media reported that Russia had provided Iran with advanced surveillance software and cyber weapons in exchange for the drones. 

"Iran’s close cooperation with Belarus and Russia may stem, in part, because Iran has signed long-term strategic agreements with these countries," the report said.

• In November, Ukraine's Intelligence Service warned that Belarus was planning to produce artillery and MLRS shells together with Iran.

• On March 12, for the first time in 17 years, Alexander Lukashenko began a two-day visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran. The President of Belarus and Iranian leader Ebrahim Raisi sign a roadmap for cooperation between the two countries.

• Iran and Belarus are deepening bilateral cooperation amid mutual support for Russia's war in Ukraine. Minsk is probably trying to sign a contract for the production of “Shaheds”.