The UK would not want Russia to give to Iran captured British anti-tank missiles meant for Ukraine, but it was a known risk and would not be a major concern as they do not contain cutting-edge technology, according to Defense Secretary Ben Wallace.
He said the UK was looking into a Sky News report this week that Moscow had flown British and US anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles to Tehran along with 140 million euros (£122 million) in August, which they exchanged for dozens of deadly Shahid- 136 drones set to be used against Ukraine.
The NLAW, Javelin and Stinger munitions had been intended for the Ukrainian military but had fallen into Russian hands, according to a security source.
Mr Wallace said: “Of course, we don’t want to see these things happening.
“But fundamentally, that is the risk we took when we decided it was important to help Ukraine.
“Russia has lost significant numbers of its A-grade capabilities – they’ve been captured in the hundreds and thousands.
“That is an amazing opportunity for NATO countries to understand the technologies that go on in Russian equipment and that will give us a very strategic advantage in the future.”
