Saturday, September 5, 2009

Russia 'delivers SAMs to Syria'

"Russia has begun deliveries of Pantsir S1 air-defense missiles to Syria, some of which are expected to be passed on to Iran, Syria's strategic ally that has largely bankrolled the deal, according to the Interfax-AVN military news agency.
Interfax quoted Yuriy Savenkov, deputy director general of the Instrument Design Bureau, or KBP, as saying that deliveries started several weeks ago. KBP produces the Pantsir and other high-precision weapons......
The Syrians were reported to have ordered 36 Pantsir units, which are designed primarily for point defense of key military and industrial facilities as well as air-defense for military units in the field.....
Jane's Defense Weekly, published in London, reported that "a source close to the Syrian contract" said that Iran "would acquire at least 10" of the Pantsir launch units delivered to Syria. The source was quoted as saying that this "would part-finance the Syrian acquisition to recompense Damascus for its compliance in the deal."..."

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