Iran's Military Cooperation with BRICS to Strengthen Regional Security and Counter Western Hegemony

TEHRAN (Defapress) - "Defense diplomacy" is a path that has been smoothed by the presence and influence of BRICS countries, and the Islamic Republic of Iran can also secure its desired interests on this highly beneficial path.

One action classified within the framework of defense diplomacy is the negotiation of joint military exercises among BRICS countries, which can challenge the power of an international order dominated by certain Western nations through their annual drills.

The military exercises of the BRICS countries have been pursued seriously in the last couple of years. On this path, the Islamic Republic of Iran, as a country with a distinct military style within the BRICS sphere, has demonstrated its capabilities in joint military exercises with China and Russia.

These cooperations are formed within the framework of respecting national sovereignty and interaction based on mutual interests. They are significant from various aspects for enhancing the operational, technological, and strategic capabilities of Iran's armed forces.

If we were to examine the advantages of joint exercises between the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the armies of the BRICS countries, we could point to the following:

1.    Participating in joint exercises with countries like Russia and China, which have extensive experience in multilateral operations and complex environments, allows Iranian forces to practically drill new tactics of modern hybrid warfare (electronic warfare, cyber warfare, combined operations) and gain experience in diverse scenarios (maritime, land, air threats, and terrorist attacks).

2.    Joint exercises with the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China enable the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran to test their latest indigenous or foreign military equipment. For example, if systems like the "HQ-9" or "Krasukha-4" were purchased from BRICS member countries, international joint exercises are the best opportunity to test such weapons.

3.    Exercises can also serve as a foundation for the transfer of knowledge on indigenous weapons, enabling the joint development of military equipment (such as new-generation drones, precision missile systems, and electronic warfare equipment) on a multinational basis.

4.    Given common threats like terrorism, destructive activities by extra-regional forces, and potential border instability, BRICS military exercises can provide a framework for intelligence coordination, joint monitoring, and rapid response to security threats. Furthermore, these exercises can play a key role in the native security of the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the Indian Ocean.

5.    Participation in BRICS exercises also strengthens Iran's position as a regional security power and an effective participant in multilateral structures, an outcome we witnessed in the 2024 and 2025 BRICS exercises, where Iran acted as a pivotal power. Additionally, BRICS exercises prevent the implementation of "West-centric" tactics in BRICS countries.

International exercises with BRICS countries are not only a training opportunity but also a strategic approach to security. They enable Iran to operate independently, relying on indigenous capacities, scientifically and practically enhance its military power, and within the framework of its "strategic resistance," guarantee national security against multidimensional threats, a feat we witnessed well-executed during the 12-day war.