Posted on 01/29/2005 6:17:09 AM PST by Grzegorz 246
JERUSALEM (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin (news - web sites) said the proposed sale of surface-to-air missiles to Syria was still under discussion despite US and Israeli opposition, in an interview.
Putin told the English language Jerusalem Post that Russia would never upset the Middle East's regional balance but said any sale of the controversial anti-aircraft missiles could be allowed for "defensive purposes."
"While we're talking about supplies of weapons to countries in the region, such a supply should be understood in the light of supporting defensive capacities, as in Syria," he said.
Israel and the United States have both expressed disquiet about a possible sale of the Russian-made SA-18 missiles, fearing that they could end up in the hands of the Damascus-backed Hezbollah Shiite militia.
"First of all, we understand and are committed to maintaining the balance of forces in the region. We understand our responsibilities. We have not taken a single step to violate that balance and we will follow that pattern in the future," said the Russian president.
"Second of all, we won't bring to the region weapons that can be used by terrorists or that can be transferred to terrorists without controls."
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who met with Putin in Moscow this week, has said any missile system would be for defensive purposes.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (news - web sites) spoke by phone with Putin last week when it was understood that he urged the Russian leader not to conclude any deal during Assad's visit.
Putin said the missile sale was still under discussion "with all participants (in)... the Middle East settlement, including frankly and openly with our Israeli partners."
Good old reliable friend, Russia. . .
/Sharia missiles
Thanks a lot, Vlad. sarcasm/
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/missile/row/sa-18.htm
The SA-18 GROUSE (Igla 9K38) is an improved variant in the the SA-7 & SA-14 series of manportable SAMs. As with the earlier SA-14, the SA-18 uses of a similar thermal battery/gas bottle, and the SA-18 has the same 2 kilogram high-explosive warhead fitted with a contact and grazing fuse. But the missile of entirely new design with substantially improved range and speed,. The new seeker and aerodynamic improvements extend its effective range, and its higher speed enables it to be used against faster targets. The SA-18 has a maximum range of 5200 meters and a maximum altitude of 3500 meters. The 9M39 missile SA-18 employs an IR guidance system using proportional convergence logic. The new seeker offers better protection against electro-optical jammers; the probability of kill against an unprotected fighter is estimated at 30-48%, and the use of IRCM jammers only degrades this to 24-30%.
That doesn't sound like very good odds for an airliner or DHL freighter.
What is the possibility that the Soviet Union, I mean Russia has already sold them to Syria and this article is just a cover story for when we find "officially" discover their deceit?
I think this is a build up to a bad ending.
Trying times for sure.
mc
Oh what a lovely shade of khaki green. /end sarcasm.
Time for the US to make a deal with some of Russias old "buddies"?
It is a familiar sound from not too long ago - it is the sound of an ice cold curtain made of iron.
And I bet the older models are discounted greatly.
Desn't matter... its all irrelvant.
"Syria" won't be there for too much longer.
I would say 4-6weeks the elected Iraqi officials go the UN about Syria harboring Ba'athis and Sadaam loyalists funding continuing attacks.
After that Syria's deathclock has begun.
With the proportional guidance, it's not great news for fighters either.
They have also sold the Chinese the SS-N-22 "Sunburn", which the Russians call Yakhont, an 1800-mph anti-shipping missile that has great range, a big warhead (even when it's not nuclear), and the ability to perform terminal-homing-phase evasive maneuvers.
They've also sold the Chinese Su-33's, which are navalized Su-30's with arresting gear and low-speed maneuvering canards. The Chinese said they didn't want to buy the aircraft carrier Variag from the Ukrainians as a naval vessel -- they said they're going to use it as a floating casino.....with armored decks, an air-operations bridge, CIC, and a 30-knot hull and engines. Hell, I guess I'd want all that on my floating pleasure palace, too.
But they're buying Su-33's.
Vladimir Putin, ex-KGB goon -- a smart ex-KGB goon. What a pal.
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