Syria to get Mig29 & Pantsir-defenses...

UPI/ here

"... Citing remarks by Mikahil Dmitriyev, the head of Russia's federal service of military and technical cooperation, the state-run ITAR Tass news agency said Moscow's sale concerned MiG-29 fighter jets, Pantsir short-range defense systems and armored vehicles....

Earlier this year, Moscow confirmed it was supplying Syria with MiG-31 combat aircraft under a deal signed in 2007 for the provision of at least four such aircraft. At the time, the Russian daily Kommersant reported that the $1 billion deal also included the sale of an undisclosed number of MiG-29s."They are being sold abroad for the first time and are similar in their technical specifications to the MiG-35 model Russia is now offering India," the daily had reported....

By some accounts, including a recent report by the Defense Industry Daily, the deal is being financed by Iran as what is being called "a back-door purchase."

The controversial deal which has also unnerved the United States, marks Syria's first purchase of fighter aircraft in more than 20 years.

Adding to concerns, though, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev paid his first visit as head of state to Damascus last week, saying the use of nuclear energy "may get a second wind" in Syria. The remark, suggesting potential nuclear cooperation with Syria, prompted fresh concerns in Tel Aviv and Washington, which recently renewed sanctions against Damascus for allegedly supporting terrorist groups

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