Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics (Iran)

History

1952–53: Reforms under Mossadegh

When Mohammad Mossadegh took over the ministry on 21 July 1952, he initiated a series of reforms in the ministry. He named General Ahmad Vossough as his deputy and renamed the ministry from 'War' to 'National Defence', cut the military budget by 15%, and vowed to only purchase defensive military equipment. Two investigatory commissions were formed, one for examining previous promotions and the other for materiel procurement. Under Mossadegh, some 15,000 personnel were transferred from the army to the gendarmerie and 136 officers, including 15 general officers, were purged.

1970s procurement

1982–89: Two ministries

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had between 1982 and 1989 its own dedicated defence ministry, mirroring the existing ministry of defence which solely supplied the Islamic Republic of Iran Army during this period. Under President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani in 1989, the two ministries were merged into one in order to cease parallel work and reduce interservice rivalry.

Development of space technologies

The spokesperson for the Space Industries Organization of the Ministry of Defense announced that, through the efforts of the country's space scientists, we have achieved the technology of multiple satellite launches to high orbital altitudes.

Attending international exhibitions

The Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Support in exhibition(s); for instance, it showcased various achievements of Iran's defense industry at the Baghdad International Security and Defense Exhibition.

Subordinates

Iranian military industry, under the command of the Ministry of Defence, is composed of the following main components:

In August 2018, the Iranian Ministry of Defence declared it had offloaded its shares in Wagon Pars and Iran Airtour. In November 2020, the head of the Research and Innovation Organisation of the defence ministry, the nuclear physicist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, was assassinated in an ambush near Tehran.

Aerospace Industries Organization

Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO, ) is a subordinate of the Iranian defence ministry and a leading high-tech complex headquartered in Tehran. It is a key player in development and production of space assets of Iran, and has some research center and factory under its control. Shahab ballistic missiles are one of notable products manufactured by the organization.

Holding joint exercises

The commander of the Zolfaghar 1403 joint exercise of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army announced that the main phase of the exercise began this morning, in which torpedoes will be launched by the Fateh submarine and the SH helicopter.

China's Support for Iran's Military Capabilities

China has been actively rearming Iran, significantly boosting its military capabilities. Chinese-made, Iranian-flagged merchant ships have recently delivered a substantial quantity of sodium perchlorate to Iran, which will be converted into ammonium perchlorate, enough to fuel 260 mid-range missiles. This support comes as Tehran aims to enhance its military amid fears of an imminent attack on its nuclear facilities by the US and Israel.

Ministers of Defence since 1979

|- ! colspan="8" align="center" | Minister of National Defence (Navy) (Ground Force) Council of the Islamic Revolution (Air Force) (Ground Force) Mahdavi Kani (interim) (Ground Force) |- ! colspan="8" align="center" | Minister of Defence (Ground Force) (Ground Force) |- ! colspan="8" align="center" | Minister of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics (Navy) ↓ Army (Navy) (Ground Force) (Quds Force) (Aerospace Force) (Ground Force) (Ground Force) (Air Force)

Timeline

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bar: Madani from: 1979 till: 1979 color:irgc text:"Ahmad Madani" bar: Riahi from: 1979 till: 1979 color:irgc text:"Taghi Riahi" bar: Chamran from: 1979 till: 1980 color:irgc text:"Mostafa Chamran" bar: Fakoori from: 1980 till: 1981 color:irgc text:"Javad Fakoori" bar: Namjoo from: 1981 till: 1981 color:irgc text:"Mousa Namjoo" bar: Salimi from: 1981 till: 1984 color:irgc text:"Mohammad Salimi" bar: Mousavi from: 1984 till: 1984 color:irgc text:"Mir-Hossein Mousavi (acting)" bar: Rahimi from: 1984 till: 1985 color:irgc text:"Mohammad-Reza Rahimi (acting)" bar: Jalali from: 1985 till: 1989 color:irgc text:"Mohammad Hossein Jalali" bar: Torkan from: 1989 till: 1993 color:irgc text:"Akbar Torkan" bar: Forouzandeh from: 1993 till: 1997 color:irgc text:"Mohammad Forouzandeh" bar: Shamkhani from: 1997 till: 2005 color:irgc text:"Ali Shamkhani" bar: Najjar from: 2005 till: 2009 color:irgc text:"Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar" bar: Vahidi from: 2009 till: 2013 color:irgc text:"Ahmad Vahidi" bar: Dehghan from: 2013 till: 2017 color:irgc text:"Hossein Dehghan" bar: Hatami from: 2017 till: 2021 color:irgc text:"Amir Hatami" bar: Ashtiani from: 2021 till: 2024 color:irgc text:"Mohammad-Reza Gharaei Ashtiani" bar: Nasirzadeh from: 2024 till: $now color:irgc text:"Aziz Nasirzadeh"

Collaboration with Knowledge-Based and Private Companies

The Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics collaborates with approximately 1,400 knowledge-based companies and 8,000 private companies. These partnerships aim to strengthen the country's defensive capabilities and support domestic industries.

Participation in Exhibitions and Events

The Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics visited the "Iran Geo" exhibition and emphasized the importance of cooperation with environmental and geographical organizations.

Development of New Technologies

The Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics is working on the development and operational deployment of new drones incorporating advanced technologies. This effort is the result of close collaboration between research centers, academic institutions, and the country's defense industries.

Support for Domestic Industries

The Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics supports domestic industries and collaborates with knowledge-based companies and private firms to strengthen the country's defensive capabilities and contribute to job creation across various sectors.

Establishment of Innovation Centers for Conscripts

The Commander of the Central Command for the Skill Training of Military Personnel announced the launch of innovation centers for talented and creative conscripts at military deployment centers.

Support for Domestic Industries

The Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics supports domestic industries and collaborates with knowledge-based companies and private firms to enhance the country's defensive capabilities and contribute to job creation across various sectors.

Iran's Space Program Advancements

Iran successfully launched its heaviest payload ever into space using the Simorgh carrier rocket. The payload included the advanced Samān-1 transfer module, a CubeSat, and another research payload, which were placed in an elliptical orbit ranging from 300 km to 410 km in altitude. This launch sets a new national record with a combined payload weight of approximately 300 kg.

Aircraft and Helicopter Overhaul

The Head of the Aviation Industries Organization of the Ministry of Defense announced a 40% increase in the overhaul (maintenance and refurbishment) of various aircraft and helicopters in the country compared to the previous year. This progress highlights the strengthening of domestic capabilities in aerospace maintenance and repairs.

Delivery of Over 200 Strategic Drones

Through collaboration between the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics and the Islamic Republic of Iran Army, more than 200 strategic drones were designed, produced, and added to the country’s defense arsenal. This initiative aims to enhance defensive capabilities and strengthen military readiness.

Self-Sufficiency in the Defense Industry

The Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics highlighted the efforts of defense industry specialists, stating that Iran has achieved self-sufficiency in this sector. He also noted that the country's adversaries are now imposing sanctions on arms sales to Iran’s enemies. This reflects significant advancements in Iran's defensive and military capabilities.

References

References

1. Rome, Henry. (17 June 2020). "Iran's Defense Spending". The United States Institute for Peace.
2. (2015). "The Military in Post-Revolutionary Iran: The Evolution and Roles of the Revolutionary Guards". Routledge.
3. (August 2019). "Iran Military Power: Ensuring Regime Survival and Securing Regional Dominance". Defense Intelligence Agency.
4. al Labbad, Mustafa. (15 August 2012). "Rouhani's Cabinet Seeks New Balance in Iranian Policies". As Safir.
5. Abrahamian, Ervand. (1982). "Iran Between Two Revolutions". Princeton University Press.
6. [https://www.mehrnews.com/tag/%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA%2B%D8%AF%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B9? Development of space technologies] Retrieved 26 February 2025
7. [https://www.mashreghnews.ir/tag/%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA%2B%D8%AF%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B9%2B%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86? Attending international exhibitions] Retrieved 26 February 2025
8. "Iran Electronics Industries (IEI) | Iran Watch".
9. [https://en.radiofarda.com/a/iran-defense-ministry-claims-it-has-divested-from-civilian-business-/29455309.html Iran Defense Ministry Claims It Has Divested From Civilian Businesses], ''Radiofarda.com'', 27 August 2018
10. [https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/27/top-iranian-nuclear-scientist-killed-iran-armed-forces Top Iranian nuclear scientist assassinated near Tehran], ''Aljazeera.com'', 27 November 2020
11. Tarikhi, Parviz. (2014). "The Iranian Space Endeavor: Ambitions and Reality". Springer.
12. [https://www.mehrnews.com/tag/%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA%2B%D8%AF%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B9? Holding joint exercises] Retrieved 26 February 2025
13. [https://www.thetimes.com/comment/columnists/article/chinas-rearming-of-iran-will-end-badly-hvqb5sdqp? China's Support for Iran's Military Capabilities] Retrieved 1 March 2025
14. [https://www.khabaronline.ir/tag/%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA%2B%D8%AF%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B9%2B%D9%88%2B%D9%BE%D8%B4%D8%AA%DB%8C%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C%2B%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C%2B%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%AD Cooperation with knowledge-based and private companies] Retrieved 26 February 2025
15. [https://www.khabaronline.ir/tag/%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA%2B%D8%AF%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B9%2B%D9%88%2B%D9%BE%D8%B4%D8%AA%DB%8C%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C%2B%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C%2B%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%AD Attending exhibitions and events] Retrieved 26 February 2025
16. [https://www.khabaronline.ir/tag/%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA%2B%D8%AF%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B9%2B%D9%88%2B%D9%BE%D8%B4%D8%AA%DB%8C%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C%2B%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C%2B%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%AD Development of new technologies] Retrieved 26 February 2025
17. [https://www.khabaronline.ir/tag/%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA%2B%D8%AF%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B9%2B%D9%88%2B%D9%BE%D8%B4%D8%AA%DB%8C%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C%2B%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C%2B%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%AD Supporting domestic industries] Retrieved 26 February 2025
18. [https://vista.ir/t/19/%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA%20%D8%AF%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B9%20%D9%88%20%D9%BE%D8%B4%D8%AA%DB%8C%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C Launching innovation centers for conscripts] Retrieved 26 February 2025
19. [https://www.khabaronline.ir/tag/%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA%2B%D8%AF%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B9%2B%D9%88%2B%D9%BE%D8%B4%D8%AA%DB%8C%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C%2B%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C%2B%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%AD Supporting domestic industries] Retrieved 26 February 2025
20. [https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-launches-advanced-module-deploy-satellites-higher-altitudes-media-say-2024-12-06/? Iran launches advanced module to deploy satellites to higher altitudes, media say] Retrieved 1 March 2025
21. [https://www.shahrekhabar.com/tag/%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA-%D8%AF%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B9 40% increase in aircraft and helicopter readiness] Retrieved 1 March 2025
22. [https://donya-e eqtesad.com/tags/%D9%88%D8%B2%DB%8C%D8%B1_%D8%AF%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B9_%D9%88_%D9%BE%D8%B4%D8%AA%DB%8C%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C_%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C_%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%AD 40% increase in aircraft and helicopter readiness] Retrieved 1 March 2025
23. [https://vista.ir/t/19/%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA%20%D8%AF%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B9%20%D9%88%20%D9%BE%D8%B4%D8%AA%DB%8C%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C Emphasis on self-sufficiency in the defense industry] Retrieved 1 March 2025