As a result of decades of sanctions and the inability of Iran to acquire many sophisticated platforms such as new aircraft or ships, the country tries to build most of its defense systems at home, with R.-Adm. Habibollah Sayyari saying this week that Tehran produces over 90% of its own defense equipment.
The report was one of several published by Iran’s state media IRNA that boasted about the Islamic Republic’s various weapon systems. This is important to the country because this week marks the 46th anniversary of the Iranian Revolution, and self-sufficiency is a key to the regime’s posture in the region and globally.
“Sayyari, who is the deputy commander of the Iranian Army for coordination, said on Thursday that [the] Iranian Armed Forces were capable of meeting all defensive needs. Iran no longer requests equipment from foreign countries, the commander said,” according to IRNA.
The account noted that he discussed various weapons and systems that are now made for the branches of the Iranian military, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
“Iran’s Ground Force produces all types of weapons, he said. The country’s Air Defense Force manufactures different types of radars and defense systems. The Air Force produces multiple types of aircraft, and the Navy – rocket launchers, destroyers, and submarines. Access to state-of-the-art technologies to build all kinds of drones and cyber systems is also available, he added.”
The overall goal here is for Iran to be able to build many sophisticated systems, such as air defenses and missiles, at home. However, Tehran has trouble building advanced warships as well as tanks and warplanes.
In essence, this has stunted the growth of the regular army in Iran and led to resources being allocated to the IRGC and also to various elements within the country that develop missiles and drones. This has resulted in lopsided investments that leave Tehran relatively weak as a conventional military force.
Iran's future in the Middle East
This doesn’t matter much to Iran, though, because it has made sure that the countries on its borders are also relatively weak. The Islamic Republic has allies in Iraq and has also built up pro-Iranian militias there. It has also made Baghdad dependent on it for many energy needs. Therefore, Iraq, which is a partner of the US, is unable to challenge its neighbor.
In addition, Iran has been reaching out to the Taliban regime in Afghanistan to make sure it will not grow too powerful. The Islamic Republic also has amicable ties with Pakistan. The border region there is often in crisis because of the Baloch people who inhabit it, who oppose both Tehran and Islamabad.
Iran has worked to partner with countries in Central Asia, and it collaborates with Armenia and Azerbaijan in the Caucasus.
Therefore, the Islamic Republic’s conventional forces do not need to be so strong because it has few enemies on its borders, and its neighbors are not very strong in terms of conventional armies.
However, Iran’s investment in indigenous technology may only go so far. The country now has to decide if it will continue to invest in its nuclear program and weaponization of it. If the country does go down that road, it could lead to a regional crisis.
However, the regime is hinting it may want a deal with the new US administration of President Donald Trump. If that happens, then Tehran can move money from its defense investments to other sectors.
The Islamic Republic’s president appears to be hinting that he wants this as he talks about an era of more peace in the region and more peace between Iran and its neighbors. Trump is also angling for peace, seeking out a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Saudis, among other initiatives.