TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Russia is preparing to equip Iran with a powerful new air defense system that would dramatically increase its ability to repel an attack, Iran’s defense minister said Wednesday.
The S-300 anti-aircraft missile defense system is capable of shooting down aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missile warheads at ranges of over 90 miles and at altitudes of about 90,000 feet. Russian military officials boast that its capabilities outstrip the U.S. Patriot missile system.
The S-300 is an improvement over the Tor-M1 air defense missile system. Russia delivered 29 Tor-M1s to Iran this year under a $700 million contract signed in December 2005.
“The S-300 air defense system will be delivered to Iran on the basis of a contract signed with Russia in the past,” Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said, according to state television.
Najjar didn’t say when or how many of the S-300 anti-aircraft missile defense systems would be shipped to Iran, and Russian officials declined to comment.
The Tor-M1 is capable of hitting aerial targets flying at up to 20,000 feet.
“While Tor-M1 missiles can hit targets at low altitude, S-300 missile have an extraordinary performance against targets at high altitude,” Najjar said.
Russian officials wouldn’t comment on the Iranian statement. Russian officials have consistently denied they were selling the S-300 to Iran. Iranian media reports have claimed the S-300 missile systems could inflict significant damage to the U.S. or Israeli forces, were they to attack Iran.
Teams led by Mikhail Dmitriyev, head of the Russian Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation, and Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi, regarded as the father of Iran’s missile program, held talks in Tehran this week on ways to step up defense cooperation.
A military expert speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject said that the Russian team included experts who had installed the Tor-M1 in Iran.
Dmitriyev told the Russian Itar-Tass news agency Wednesday said air defense and radar systems were priorities in Russian-Iranian defense discussions.
Russia has provided Iran with Kilo-Class submarines, MIG and Sukhoi military planes and bombers in recent decades.
Iran-Russia ties increased after a visit here by Russian President Vladimir Putin in October.
How reliable is this? I noted that the Russian side didn't confirm. Could it simply be an attempt to test Western reactions to a possible deal of the sort?
Good for Russia! Well, atleast some countries still have the sense to keep the relationship with Iran warm. And look at our pathetic leaders who lost no time in alienating a friendly nation. Heck, if Israel can sell weapons to China, US can build up Pakistan, then why the heck couldn't we maintain our relationship with Iran? Simply pathetic leaders.
The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands but seeing with new eyes.
Russias Federal Military-Technical Cooperation Service (responsible for all foreign military exports) has denied the claim. (Aust newspapers Dec 29th)Originally Posted by Tronic
Good for Russia! Well, atleast some countries still have the sense to keep the relationship with Iran warm. And look at our pathetic leaders who lost no time in alienating a friendly nation. Heck, if Israel can sell weapons to China, US can build up Pakistan, then why the heck couldn't we maintain our relationship with Iran? Simply pathetic leaders.
So it's Iran testing the waters again for a possible arrangement of the sort in the future?
Oh well, but Russia still remains on good terms with Iran. Sadly, we don't.
The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands but seeing with new eyes.
S300? That's not really that high on the list.... The Patriot is better, right?
I have no idea what I'm doing. Honestly!
Even if, where should Iran get Patriots? There was a Nato exercise 2 years ago in Germany which involved S300 from the slovenian air force, but I don't know how well they did. (nor if it was the same version the Iranians are getting).
That was never what I had stated. My question was is the 300 or the Patriot better.
I have no idea what I'm doing. Honestly!
But what is the point (for Iran) if another weapn might be better, when there is no way to aquire it??
I've heard consistently that the baseline 300P is worse, but upgraded ones like PMU1 and PMU2 are better. I haven't actually looked at the statlines though.
even if true, its a waste of money for Iran. The system is large 6+ vehicles per battery and only semi-mobile so if it is deployed along the coast and border it is vulnerable to SEAD missions and the US has practiced vs. the S-300 (there is at least one S-300 radar at Nellis AFB). If they move them into the interior to defend hi-val targets then they serve no useful purpose vs stealth
So I'm not very well versed on AA defense networks. How should it be used?
EDIT: Would I be correct that if deployed along the coast it would need protection from tac-SAM units?
Russia is preparing to equip Iran with a powerful new air defense system that would dramatically increase its ability to repel an attack, Iran’s defense minister said Wednesday.
The S-300 anti-aircraft missile defense system is capable of shooting down aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missile warheads at ranges of over 90 miles and at altitudes of about 90,000 feet. Russian military officials boast that its capabilities outstrip the U.S. Patriot missile system.
Will Iran be able to "REPEL" a non-nuclear attack by Isreal now?
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