Russia supplies military equipment from Iran and North Korea - ISW

Source: Institute for the Study of War

Putin's calls for active competition between Russian military arms manufacturers are in direct contrast to recent reports that Russia has purchased weapons systems from Iran and North Korea to support its military campaign in Ukraine.

ISW previously reported that Iranian shipments of drones and potentially ballistic missiles to Russia will likely increase Russia's dependence on Iranian-produced military equipment.

Russia most likely negotiated the weapon shipments with Iran and North Korea because it has significantly depleted its stock of munitions in air, missile, and artillery strikes on Ukraine and cannot easily replenish them.

“Russia’s reliance on isolated and heavily sanctioned states for critical weapons systems does not support Putin’s demand that the Russian military industry becomes highly competitive and meets the needs of the Russian Armed Forces in any short period of time,” ISW statement reads.