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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Margelov: The MIG 29 aid to Lebanon is a message to Israel |
| 2009-03-21 |
| Russian Federal Council Chairman of Foreign Relations Committee, said: "we don't talk we act. The 10 MIG 29 fighters are an effective (form) of aid to Lebanon's government. This is a message to Israel or any other country that there is a balance of power in the region." I thought all the MiG-29s were grounded because they're pieces of junk? He added that Russia supports Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity. Margelov said that Russia helps the role of the Lebanese state "we do so to a democratically advanced state, a sovereign state that plays an important role in the region." I can't recall the last time a Russian aircraft shot down a U.S. manufactured aircraft, except for the occasional airliner. Margelov was speaking Friday to 'Russia Today' satellite channel from Beirut. He added that Russia has placed no conditions on Lebanon regarding the use of the MIG 29 fighters. " There are no conditions made by the Russian government on the Lebanese government regarding the use of these fighters. The Lebanese government has the legal right (to use them) as it pleases . Margelov left Beirut on Friday to Doha. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #13 I remember hearing stories from the '73 Arab-Israeli war about how Syrian pilots, flying Russian MiGs would bail out the second they got painted by Israeli pilots' radar. The Israeli pilots are the best in the world, and have been for a long time. |
| Posted by: Rambler in Virginia 2009-03-21 21:52 |
| #12 Putin to Obama: Your move. |
| Posted by: DoDo 2009-03-21 21:50 |
| #11 And I expect the main use these planes will see is in bombing potentially pro-western areas in the next battles of the civil war. I would expect in that case that not only would Israel not do anything about it, but that you'd see people posting here that it was really a good thing or that it's just one group of animals killing another or something like that while the Syrians were consolidating their power. |
| Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain 2009-03-21 19:15 |
| #10 tw, I don't think the Russians expect payment. The chance to cause Israel problems was enough for them. I would expect them to withdraw maintenance (which would really make these migs targets) should the Lebanese get too uppity about wanting the Syrian proxies out of the country. |
| Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain 2009-03-21 19:11 |
| #9 A lot depends on whether they gave the Lebanese upgraded avionics and Russian pilots and maintenance crews. If the Russians also gave pilots and crews, I'd worry, because they ought to be well-trained. If the Lebanese are doing either, not nearly so many worries. Either way: targets. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2009-03-21 14:47 |
| #8 I can't recall the last time a Russian aircraft shot down a U.S. manufactured aircraft Thinking it was a Mig-25(?) take down of that F-18 on the opening night of Desert Storm. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2009-03-21 11:28 |
| #7 And the Rooskies shot down several US planes over 'Nam. |
| Posted by: Bobby 2009-03-21 11:19 |
| #6 Let's remember that the Indian Air Force flies the MiG-29, and our guys found the Indians to be very, very capable. |
| Posted by: Steve White 2009-03-21 11:13 |
| #5 USAF people I know say it's a very good plane that was designed to go up against F15s and F16s. A lot depends on whether they gave the Lebanese upgraded avionics and Russian pilots and maintenance crews. |
| Posted by: lotp 2009-03-21 07:21 |
| #4 The MiG 29 is not the best aircraft in the world, especially if it goes up against the latest model of F16 or F15. And most definitely not if it is piloted by an Arab - some of the worst pilots in the world. Of course, ins'allah maintenance on the planes does not help any. |
| Posted by: Shieldwolf 2009-03-21 02:35 |
| #3 Reminder to MiG pilots: Your most important piece of equipment is your ejection seat. |
| Posted by: ed 2009-03-21 00:53 |
| #2 And Israel has the right to treat active threats as an act of war and respond accordingly. Israeli pilots have recently had lots and lots of practice hitting their targets. I hope Russia was paid upfront. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2009-03-21 00:46 |
| #1 Targets? |
| Posted by: tipover 2009-03-21 00:42 |