"Civilized world wake up to Russian threat"
In Hoc Signo Vinces
Posted on 08/11/2008 4:08:41 PM PDT by a_Turk
TEL AVIV — Israel has acknowledged the sale of unmanned aerial vehicles and other Israeli security support to Georgia which has prompted complaints and threats from Moscow.
Officials said the Defense Ministry approved the sale of several tactical UAV systems to Georgia in 2007. They said Georgia has used the unidentified UAVs for border reconnaissance missions.
Georgia has credited Israeli military assistance after claiming the destruction of at least 11 Russian combat aircraft and 50 main battle tanks.
"Israel should be proud of its military, which trained Georgian soldiers," Georgian Reintegration Minister Temur Yakobshvili told Israel Army radio on Aug 10.
"We killed 60 Russian soldiers just yesterday. The Russians have lost more than 50 tanks, and we have shot down 11 of their planes. They have sustained enormous damage in terms of manpower."
Russia has complained of the Israeli UAV sale to Georgia. In May 2008, the Russian Army shot down an Israeli UAV along the Georgian border. The UAV was not identified.
The Russian demand for Israel to stop military sales came amid the intensification of fighting with Georgia and carried with it the implicit threat of increased aid for Israel's enemies.
Israel has countered with complaints about Russia's military exports to Iran and Syria. Moscow, like Israel, has responded by insisting it sells only defensive systems.
Meanwhile, Israel has been divided over whether to continue weapons sales to Georgia, Middle East Newsline reported.
Officials said the debate pits the Defense Ministry against the Foreign Ministry. They said the Foreign Ministry has advocated a suspension of all weapons sales and support services to Georgia while the Defense Ministry sought to continue exports.
"The question is whether there should be a temporary suspension of arms exports to Georgia during the war with Russia," an official said.
In addition to UAVs and other defensive systems, industry sources said Israeli firms have also sold rockets as well as night-vision systems to Tbilisi.
On Aug. 10, the Israeli Defense Ministry, which has overseen an estimated $200 million in military exports to Georgia, convened senior staffers to review the Foreign Ministry recommendation. Officials said the ministry decided to continue to approve exports for non-lethal systems for military and security applications in Georgia.
"The Defense Ministry has been conducting a very wise policy," Amos Gilad, director of the Defense Ministry's political-military bureau, said. "It has taken all factors into account. Defensive systems have been sent, and they have not upset the strategic balance."
Moscow has also asserted that Israeli trainers were advising the Georgian military on how to shoot down Russian combat aircraft and disable main battle tanks.
In December 2007, Israel decided to end the sale of offensive military systems to Georgia, but did not cancel any contracts. Officials said Israel came under pressure from Russia, who warned that such sales would be deemed a hostile act. France and the United States have been leading arms exporters to Georgia.
Still, Russia has pressed Israel for a complete military embargo on Georgia. Officials said the Israeli Foreign Ministry was concerned that Moscow could retaliate by selling advanced weapons to Iran and Syria.
"The Foreign Ministry, and this includes the minister, does not want to give Russia a pretext for selling advanced systems to Iran and Syria," the official said.
For its part, Israel has warned Russia not to export the S-300PMU-2 air and missile defense system to Teheran. Western intelligence sources said S-300 components have already arrived in Iran and were expected to be assembled into operating systems in early 2009.
“...Moscow has also asserted that Israeli trainers were advising the Georgian military on how to shoot down Russian combat aircraft and disable main battle tanks...”
Well how dare those uppity Georgians learn to defend themselves! The Nerve!
Israel has countered with complaints about Russia's military exports to Iran and Syria. Moscow, like Israel, has responded by insisting it sells only defensive systems.
Riiiight
"The Foreign Ministry, and this includes the minister, does not want to give Russia a pretext for selling advanced systems to Iran and Syria," the official said.
I don't think Russia needs a pretext. What to do with a dirty country like Russia.
If they didn't show where those SovietRussian troops were in South Ossetia, I might be asking for a refund right about now.
"Even Obama's wife herself has entered the spider-web world of geopolitical statescraft. From a Hawaiian beach she made this statement, "Just how does violent Russian support for Abkhazian and South Ossetian irredentism help my children?"
Can anti-tank missiles be launched from those Israel built UAVs? That might explain some of those Russian tank losses, if true.
Well, I must admit to laughing a bit as I read of Moscow’s concerns.
Screw the Soviets. Go Israel!
Oh Oh Oh, I like that little moustache put on the picture of Putin.
(Russia has complained of the Israeli UAV sale to Georgia}
Translation: Russia to Georgia; How dare you buy weapons to defend your sovereignty from us. We are allowed to sell arms to other nations to destroy American,Israeli, and other free nations but you must not buy any weapons from anyone!
(For its part, Israel has warned Russia not to export the S-300PMU-2 air and missile defense system to Teheran. Western intelligence sources said S-300 components have already arrived in Iran and were expected to be assembled into operating systems in early 2009.)
Translation: Russia says that they only can sell weapons to hostile third world countries of their choice and Israel must lay down and be plowed over.
If memory serves me right, the Russians sent 150 main battle tanks into South Ossetia. If this figure is true, then the Russians lost 1/3 of their main armor thrust just in the battle for Ossetia. This is probably why they have not overrun all of Georgia yet. Hitlers Blitzkrieg troops would have been done by now.
“We killed 60 Russian soldiers just yesterday. The Russians have lost more than 50 tanks, and we have shot down 11 of their planes. They have sustained enormous damage in terms of manpower.”
GOOD. Hopefully the Russians continue to take heavy loses.
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Wouldn't do any good even if they were functional. Maybe good warranty would help. Sadly, drone aircraft will not save Georgia if the Russians decide to take their country.
When was the last sale?
“Hopefully the Russians continue to take heavy loses.”
Russian leadership cares not a wit about taking heavy losses. They never have cared.
So that main reason Russians feel they not getting attention
I love it - The Russians consider it a hostile act for Israel to sell weapons to Georgia, while they at the same time openly sell thier own weaponry to Israels enemies, like Iran & Syria. The height of hypocracy and arrogance!!
How about this question: can a UAV shoot down another aircraft?!?! Someone tell me how THAT is supposed to happen. Maybe tag it when its on the ground? Sidewinder? AAMRAM? those are heavy.
Go Georgia! Give me access to those via my Playstation 3 and I will be a merc for you!
“”””””””Georgia has credited Israeli military assistance after claiming the destruction of at least 11 Russian combat aircraft and 50 main battle tanks.
“Israel should be proud of its military, which trained Georgian soldiers,” Georgian Reintegration Minister Temur Yakobshvili told Israel Army radio on Aug 10.
“We killed 60 Russian soldiers just yesterday. The Russians have lost more than 50 tanks, and we have shot down 11 of their planes. They have sustained enormous damage in terms of manpower.” “”””””””
Nice to have Strong military allies.
I think it is time we sold some “surplus” Javelins (badass anti-tank) and Stingers to Georgia.
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