US blacklists Iranian firms for producing drones for Russia

Government places seven entities on trade blacklist

The wreckage of what Kyiv has described as an Iranian Shahed drone downed near Kupiansk, Ukraine. AP

The US on Tuesday added seven Iranian entities to its trade blacklist for producing drones that Russia has used to attack Ukraine, a posting by the US Department of Commerce said.

Nearing a year since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, allies have scrambled to gather and use air defences to defeat cruise missiles and Iranian-built kamikaze drones that have hit energy infrastructure targets this winter.

Earlier this month, Canada announced it would buy a US-made National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (Nasams) for Ukraine.

Nasams is a short- to medium-range ground-based air defence system that protects against drone, missile and aircraft attack. The US has provided two Nasams to Ukraine, with more on the way.

Other ground-based air defence systems such as Raytheon Technology Corp's Patriot have been pledged by the UK, the US and the Netherlands as allies hope to stave off further power disruptions.

The Iranian entities added to the blacklist are Design and Manufacturing of Aircraft Engines, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Research and Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organisation, Oje Parvaz Mado Nafar Company, Paravar Pars Company, Qods Aviation Industry and Shahed Aviation Industries.

The Commerce Department posting said the Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles produced are being transferred to Russia for use in Ukraine, activity that is contrary to US national security and foreign policy interests.

Drones and weapons supplied to Ukraine — in pictures

Turkeysold its Bayraktar TB2 armed drones to Ukraine. They can fly at an altitude of 7,500 metres and swoop down to attack targets. AFP

The US also gave 700 of its Switchblade kamikaze drones. AP

Cheap commercial drones like the DJI Mavic series have been modified in Ukraine. AFP

Germany will follow the US in providing a Patriot missile defence system, pictured above, to Ukraine. Reuters

FIM-92 Stinger rockets have been donated to help Ukrainian infantry engage aircraft and drones. The shoulder-launched missiles can shoot down aircraft. Photo: US Army

Germany donated 25 Flakpanzer Gepard all-weather-capable self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. AFP

The High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or Himars, can simultaneously launch several precision-guided missiles. The US has given Ukraine projectiles with a range of about 130 kilometres. EPA

M777 howitzers and about 300,000 shells have been donated to give Ukraine an accurate artillery platform with a range of 50 kilometres. EPA

Ukraine has been sent at least 5,000 of the anti-tank weapons known as NLAWs. These shoulder-launched rockets have proved deadly in the field. PA

Ukrainian troops have also received thousands of Javelin anti-tank missiles. Bloomberg

Poland and the Czech Republic sent Russian-made T72 tanks, which Ukraine has used for decades, to ease integration and cut down training time. EPA

France as announced its plan to give AMX-10 RC “scout tanks” to Ukraine. "This is the first time that western-made armoured vehicles are being delivered in support of the Ukrainian army," a French official said. AFP

Shortly after the French, the US said it would send Bradley fighting vehicles to provide "a level of firepower and armour that would bring advantages on the battlefield”. Reuters

The UK sent their phased-out Saxon armoured vehicles. They found new life protecting infantry units in transit and dealing with tough off-road conditions. Getty Images

Denmark has supplied Harpoon anti-ship launchers to help Ukraine defend its coasts. AFP

The US sent 20 Soviet and Russian made Mi-17 helicopters to Ukraine that had initially been bought for the Afghan government in 2010. AP

Germany has also supplied its latest version of the IRIS-T air defence system designed to shoot down missiles at altitudes up to 20 kilometres. Getty Images

Ukraine has also been given thousands of small arms, bullet proof vests, medical kits, litres of fuel, granades and other weapons systems. Reuters