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| Iran |
| Iran eyes Russian missile defense system to counter US |
| 2003-09-10 |
| From Geostrategy-Direct. Requires subscription.... MOSCOW — Iran has examined the prospect of procuring a national air and missile defense system from Russia. Sources said Iran has been dismayed by the proximity of U.S. fighter jets and warships in neighboring Iraq. The Bushehr nuclear reactor, slated to begin operations in early 2005, is located in the Persian Gulf. Russian industry sources said Moscow and Teheran have discussed the possibility of Iran purchasing a national air and missile defense system based on the S-400. The sources said Russia has presented the S-400 as being able to intercept missiles and advanced aircraft entering Iranian air space. The offer would be for an integrated system that could alert Iran’s air force of any aircraft movement throughout the Persian Gulf as well as in parts of neighboring Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan. The alert would allow the air force to track foreign aircraft movement and plan a response. The Russian system would cost up to $4 billion and take three years to complete, the sources said. They said Rosboronexport has stressed the need for such a system for Iran’s military to repel any attempt to attack its nuclear program. Rosboronexport offered a similar air defense system to the United Arab Emirates in 2002, the sources said. Abu Dhabi has examined the system as part of its efforts to acquire air and missile defense capabilities. Taking up to three years to complete isn’t fast enough for countermeasures to a US strike next year. Regardless, at least this shows where Pooty-Poot stands on WOT. |
| Posted by:Alaska Paul |
| #11 One problem with third-world nations buying Russian equipment - we've been watching it develop, studying the way it's being implemented in the Soviet Union (now Russia), listening to it ping, and much, much more. I'm sure our nation has been working furiously to overcome any advantage that equipment would have given a potential adversary. Works the same way with third-party buyers - we already know how it works, and have at least an idea how to counter it. It's hard staying ahead of the pack. It's even harder when you have to start from the very back of the gaggle. Unfortunately for the mullahs, they're still trying to find out which foot to put into the left shoe. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2003-9-10 6:51:06 PM |
| #10 The S-400 is the follow on to the SA-10/20 IADS family...mucho dangerous systems. If Sammy had had these instead of shitty old SA-2/3s, it would have changed the strategic balance in the Gulf considerably and would have forced our air plan in Iraq to be much more cautious...and possibly would have cost us quite a few aircraft until we took them down. If Iran buys this system, it is a MAJOR problem for our SEAD efforts. If we are going to schwack Bushewar, we better do it soon... |
| Posted by: Watcher 2003-9-10 6:19:03 PM |
| #9 Dismayed is right. They have US Controlled Iraq (Rock) on one side, and US Controlled Afghanistan (Hard Place) on the other. Sucks to be them..... |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2003-9-10 4:18:42 PM |
| #8 As if the Russians would sell them their best technology. It'll be a watered-down, 1970s version, at best. |
| Posted by: Rafael 2003-9-10 4:14:43 PM |
| #7 "Sources said Iran has been dismayed by the proximity of U.S. fighter jets and warships in neighboring Iraq." "Dismayed"? Yeah, I bet they're dismayed. Like I would be dismayed if someone had a shotgun pointed at my head. |
| Posted by: Matt 2003-9-10 3:29:02 PM |
| #6 (snicker) Oh, yeah, that ruskie military hardware is top-notch, guys! Buy as much as you can! |
| Posted by: mojo 2003-9-10 3:23:51 PM |
| #5 Laurence of the Rats---I recall reading about the Bushehr reactor financing. The Russians were doing it for the Iranians with cash or 80% cash. The black hats of Iran think that they can buy their way out of the hole their mouths got them in. Rex Mundi has a great comment. It is sure not about oiiiiiillllllllll........ |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2003-9-10 3:05:57 PM |
| #4 They are welcomed to engage us in a contest of wills like Soviet Union was and North Korea is. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2003-9-10 2:54:18 PM |
| #3 B1-Bs, B-2s, F-117s and F-22s, all stealthy, and cruise missiles flying in at treetop level are part of what that system would have to deal with. It'd be interesting to find out if it'll detect them or not. |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2003-9-10 2:53:32 PM |
| #2 Yep....Razzzzzz-Putin could be playin' the mullahs for suckers. |
| Posted by: Rex Mundi 2003-9-10 2:50:52 PM |
| #1 Bet ya Russia asks for all the money up front, with a "No Refunds" clause in case the government "changes" before its done. |
| Posted by: Laurence of the Rats 2003-9-10 2:38:50 PM |