Given that the Caspian Sea is land-locked, it's interesting that the Russians have vessels suitable to be cruise missile platforms floating on it.
The Mediterranean is so much closer!
Given that the Caspian Sea is land-locked, it's interesting that the Russians have vessels suitable to be cruise missile platforms floating on it.
The Mediterranean is so much closer!
Its a two-fer. First, it shows that Iran and Iraq are both supporting Russian action, so another thumb in Obama's eye. Second, its extremely smart tactically, as resupply is simple and doesn't have to go through Turkish waters. It keeps the ships in the Med fully loaded to counter NATO and to be able to react to a much shorter intelligence lead time.
If they would have fired from the Med. US would have spotted it and warned the ISIS and our “Allies” (who would have warned the ISIS). This was a great move to blindside the ISIS and the USA. The fact that they could hit targets this far away says a great deal about their weapons programs. Watch—they will use this to sell weapons to India and other nations. This War may well be a PR Stunt to sell warplanes and weapons.
Yes but, these ships are permanent in the Caspian. Interesting in that they have range over most of Iran and the Caucuses.