Iran was paid $1.75 billion by Russia for the supply of its Shahed-136 kamikaze drones. Militarnyi reported the news, citing data obtained by hackers from Prana Network who hacked into the mail servers of the Iranian company IRGC Sahara Thunder.
According to the documents, in 2022, Russia developed plans to produce 6,000 Iranian drones during 2.5 years at the manufacturing capacities of the Alabuga special economic zone, Tatarstan.
Iran set the initial price at RUR 23 million (approximately $375,000) per drone. However, the negotiated price dropped to RUR 12 million ($193,000) per drone for a batch of 6,000, or up to RUR 18 million ($290,000) for a batch of 2,000.
Thus, the total value of the contract, including the transfer of technology, equipment, and software, is $1.75 billion.
Russia pays Iran in gold
In the event that production is fully localized and supplies from Iran are minimal, the cost of production of one Shahed-136 was predicted to be RUR 4.4 million ($48,800) in 2023. However, the sale price will be RUR 14.9 million ($165,500).
This difference is likely due to license payments, additional costs, and investment in production. In addition, the forecast may change due to adjustments to plans and the production process.
According to previously obtained information, Russia made at least part of its payments in gold. In particular, in February 2023, Alabuga Machinery transferred about 2 tons of ingots to an Iranian company.
It was reported earlier that in November 2023, Iran introduced a turbojet-powered Shahed-238 drone.
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