Leaked Russian plan envisioned aircraft parts production in Iran

A Russian government document reportedly laid out plans for Iranian companies to make parts for Russian aircraft. That would go beyond the maintenance work Iranian firms already do on aircraft flown by Russian carriers.

The 44-page cooperation plan covers 2024 to 2026. It was approved on the Russian side in September 2024 and spans numerous economic sectors, with specific provisions for aviation. According to the document, Russian authorities were first to assess which aircraft parts and assemblies could be repaired or manufactured in Iran. Suitable Iranian companies were then to be identified, and selected sites certified by the Russian aviation authority Rosaviatsiya. The stated aim went beyond using Iranian maintenance capacity. An agreement on local manufacturing was to be reached by 31 March 2026, with production of initial prototypes to begin by the end of that year.

It is unclear whether that part of the plan was carried out. The document's contents could not be independently confirmed, and production of Russian aircraft components in Iran has not been verified.

At least one Airbus A330 operated by Aeroflot has already been in Tehran for maintenance, and three Iranian companies later received Russian approval to work on aircraft flown by Russian operators. Further plans were reportedly drawn up in February 2025.