Russia starts S-300 missile supplies to Iran - Iranian MP

[Loki]

Russia starts S-300 missile supplies to Iran - Iranian MP

21/12/2008 16:10 TEHRAN, December 21 (RIA Novosti) - Russia has started the supplies of components for S-300 air defense systems to Iran, a senior Iranian lawmaker said on Sunday. (Russian mobile surface-to-air missile systems - Image gallery)



Esmaeil Kosari, deputy chairman of the parliamentary commission on national security and foreign policy told the Iranian news agency IRNA that Iran and Russia had held negotiations for several years on the purchase of S-300 air defense systems and had finalized a deal.

Kosari said the Islamic Republic would deploy S-300 surface-to-air missile systems to strengthen national defense on border areas.

Iran recently took delivery of 29 Russian-made Tor-M1 air defense missile systems under a $700-million contract signed in late 2005. Russia has also trained Iranian Tor-M1 specialists, including radar operators and crew commanders.

The U.S. and Israel, which have consistently refused to rule out the possibility of military action against Iran, were earlier alarmed by media reports, which started circulating as early as 2005, on the possible delivery of S-300 surface-to-air missiles to Iran, as these systems could greatly improve Iranian defenses against any air strike on its strategically important sites, including nuclear facilities.

The advanced version of the S-300 missile system, called S-300PMU1 (SA-20 Gargoyle), has a range of over 150 kilometers (over 100 miles) and can intercept ballistic missiles and aircraft at low and high altitudes, making the system an effective tool for warding off possible air strikes.

The Islamic Republic has conducted several high-profile war games this year, including a three-day series of Air Force and missile defense exercises on September 15-18, while promising swift retaliation in the event of any act of aggression against the country.

Iran is currently under three sets of relatively mild UN Security Council sanctions for defying demands to halt uranium enrichment, which it says it needs purely for electricity generation despite Western accusations that the program is geared toward weapon production.

Source

Update -- Russia denies supplying S-300 missile systems to Iran

[Loki]

Actually, the S-300 is not the most advanced Russian anti-aircraft system. The newly developed S-400 Triumf is a significant upgrade:

The S-400 Triumf (Russian: C-400 «Триумф&#187 is a new generation air defense system developed by the Almaz Central Design Bureau as an upgrade of the S-300 family. Its NATO reporting name is SA-21 Growler. The S-400 was previously known as S-300PMU-3. It overshadows the capabilities of the other systems from the S-300 series, and its range is claimed to be at least 2 times greater than that of the MIM-104 Patriot system.



Russian sources have claimed the S-400 is capable of detecting and engaging targets out to a range of 400km (250 miles), including aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles, including those with a range of 3,500 km and a speed of 3 miles per second. It has also been claimed that the S-400 is capable of detecting and engaging stealth aircraft, including those of the United States.

[Arrow Cross]

Yes, this show has been done once already, a few months ago, when Russia again announced a refusal to sell S-300 to Iran.

The question is... who is bluffing here?

[Loki]

Yes, this show has been done once already, a few months ago, when Russia again announced a refusal to sell S-300 to Iran.

The question is... who is bluffing here?

It is very obvious that Iran wants to acquire these for self-defence. US/Israel wants to deny Iranian defence capability, because they want to bomb Iran. Simple as that really. I don't think Russia wants the US to gain an even stronger foothold in the Middle East, hence it is in their interest to provide defence support to the Iranians. The US won't let their precious billion-dollar planes be shot down by Iranian-operated S-300's. They can't afford it.

[Arrow Cross]

It is very obvious that Iran wants to acquire these for self-defence. US/Israel wants to deny Iranian defence capability, because they want to bomb Iran. Simple as that really. I don't think Russia wants the US to gain an even stronger foothold in the Middle East, hence it is in their interest to provide defence support to the Iranians. The US won't let their precious billion-dollar planes be shot down by Iranian-operated S-300's. They can't afford it.

Yes, but either the Iranians are bluffing by claiming they aquired the system - possibly delaying an attack against them -, or the Russians are falsely denying it to save public face.

We'll find out when / if President Obongo launches his invasion.

[Loki]

Yes, but either the Iranians are bluffing by claiming they aquired the system - possibly delaying an attack against them -, or the Russians are falsely denying it to save public face.

We'll find out when / if President Obongo launches his invasion.

Indeed. These systems take time to be set up, and also time to train people to use them.

I think Israel is more likely to do a unilateral strike against Iran in the near future. But on the other hand, why should Israel dirty their hands when their sock puppet, the US, will do it for them? Obama is very pro-Israel, that much we know by now.

[Cenél nEógain]

I don't think there'll be an invasion, the self-appointed 'chosen' will carry out a unilateral strike as stated, and their proxy army (US of course) will pick up the pieces. I'll tell you one thing though, the minute Iran is bombed, and it will be, those who'll suffer most will be Americans in Iraq. Irans proxy Shia armies in Iraq will go straight for Americas neck.

Expect gruesome videos appearing on the net. And thats just for starters, Hormuz straight, Russian diplomats in Tehran being blown up etc.

The yids are bringing us to the brink of another World War - very possibly. They're dragging us toward the abyss. This will not go down pretty.

[Vargtand]

Cool, wish Sweden had some weapons to sell instead, though
Oh well one can hope that the more conflicts that occurs in the long run it will provide more jobs for us Swedes, (always had a bit of a desire to be a weapon maker my self).