Iran: Establishment of Defense Factories Abroad and Self-Sufficiency in Missile and Drone Production

Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh announced that Tehran has developed defense-related industrial infrastructure in several foreign countries, alongside achieving full self-sufficiency in the production of military equipment, particularly missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

In an interview broadcast on Iranian state television on Friday, Nasirzadeh stated that Iranian defense factories have been established outside the country, with official announcements and inaugurations expected in the near future. He noted that this expansion reflects international interest in Iran’s defense capabilities, particularly amid growing global demand for certain products, such as UAVs.

Flexible Development of Domestic Military Industries

Nasirzadeh emphasized that Iran’s defense industry does not solely focus on building large-scale facilities but also adopts cost-effective and flexible strategies to meet production needs. “In some regions, establishing large factories is not economically viable,” he said, “so alternative approaches are used to achieve self-reliance.”

He stressed the importance of relying on domestic capabilities, especially during times of crisis, underscoring the need to produce, store, and supply all essential military equipment within the country.

According to Nasirzadeh, more than 90% of the equipment used by Iran’s armed forces is manufactured locally, including ballistic missiles powered by both solid and liquid fuels. He confirmed that Iran does not rely on any foreign countries for missile production.

He also stated that missile manufacturing continued uninterrupted during the recent 12-day conflict, with production methods adapted to allow for operation within smaller, secure facilities in complex geographical locations, thereby reducing the need for large, visible factories.

New Missiles and Advanced Technology Yet to Be Deployed

The defense minister revealed that Iran possesses new, advanced missiles that were not deployed during the recent conflict. These include the Kheibar Shekan (Khorramshahr-5) missile, described as one of the most sophisticated in Iran’s arsenal, and the Qassem Basir missile, which features high targeting accuracy and resistance to electromagnetic warfare systems.

Nasirzadeh also referred to hypersonic missiles of the Sejjil class and other recently tested missile types. These are reportedly capable of high maneuverability and are designed to evade air defense systems, enabling them to strike targets with high precision.

He noted that the recent 12-day conflict exposed various strengths and weaknesses in Iran’s defense architecture. He added that had the hostilities continued for a longer duration, countering Iranian missile strikes would have become significantly more challenging.

“If the conflict had escalated further, ground and naval defense systems could have entered the battlefield,” he said, adding that recent developments have led to a revision of Iran’s military priorities, with a broader focus beyond missile capabilities alone.

Read also: Nuclear Talks Continue: Iran Rejects Yielding to Threats