Russia to Supply Iran With 90 Launchers for Kh-39 LMUR Missiles
Russia has agreed to supply Iran with 90 launchers for Kh-39 LMUR guided missiles, which Russian forces use against Ukraine.
The Financial Times reported this, citing production documents from one of Russia’s leading defence companies.
In the documents, the order for APU-L helicopter-mounted launchers was placed by a foreign buyer operating under the code name ‘K-10.’
According to the newspaper’s sources and internal documents from Russian defence institutions, this designation is used for Iran.
Documents obtained by the Ukrainian private intelligence organisation Dallas Analytics point to further deepening military cooperation between Moscow and Tehran.
The corresponding 2024–2025 production schedule was attached to a letter from the Russian company Vympel dated May 2024.
It called for expedited deliveries of components for two types of launchers: APU-L and APU-305.
The letter stated that delays in the supply of components could jeopardise the fulfilment of nine contracts.
The production schedule also listed foreign customers: China had ordered 192 APU-305 launchers, while a buyer operating under the code name ‘K-10’ had ordered 90 APU-L launchers.
Both types of launchers are designed for use with the Russian Kh-39 LMUR light multipurpose guided missile, also known as the Izdeliye 305.
The base version of the missile is 1,945 mm long, has a body diameter of 200 mm and a launch mass of 105 kg. It is equipped with a solid-fuel motor that provides a flight speed of up to 230 m/s.
The stated guaranteed range of guided flight is up to 14.5 km, while its flight altitude above the ground is 100–600 m. The missile carries a 25 kg high-explosive fragmentation warhead.
The launchers are designed for Russia’s Mi-28 attack helicopters and can carry two missiles each. The APU-305 launchers are designed to carry a single missile.
In November 2023, Iran’s Deputy Defense Minister announced the purchase of Mi-28 attack helicopters, Su-35 fighter jets and Yak-130 combat trainer aircraft from Russia.
Source: Defence Blog
