Posted on 10/01/2009 8:59:54 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Saudi Arabia is weighing buying an advanced Russian missile system to shore up its defence against a potentially nuclear Iran, Gulf analysts and diplomats said. They said Moscow and Riyadh are close to sealing a deal on a multi-billion-dollar weapons package that could include Russia's advanced S-400 missile defence system.
It is the newest version of the S-300 long-range surface to air missile system that Moscow has been in discussion for several years to sell to Iran, which denies Western charges of aiming to become a nuclear power.
But heavy Western and Israeli pressure and a possibly more lucrative deal with Riyadh have persuaded Moscow not to go through with that sale to Tehran, diplomats in the Gulf said on condition of anonymity.
"The Saudis would rather this weapon system not be sold to Iran or Syria," another possible buyer, said Theodore Karasik, director of research at the Dubai-based Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis.
The S-400 missile defence system could be a part of a much larger deal with Russia that would signify an important diversification of Saudi arms purchasing from its traditional suppliers -- Britain, France and the United States.
(Excerpt) Read more at spacewar.com ...
Shhhh. don't say it...
what did Brer Rabbit say again?
The USSR/Russian air defense umbrella leaks badly, and has except for a few years during the 60s. I would rather have nothing than a soviet era designed air defense.
Which works out well. I don't have a personal air defense system. ;)
/johnny
They were using 1960s technology. This air defense system comes with all the bells and whistles.The missile can intercept all types of aircraft, including tactical ballistic and medium-range theater missiles flying at altitudes from 5 meters to 30 kilometers.
It's Russian. It's pwned.
/johnny
We have not seen it battle, yet
We have not seen it battle, yet
The Israelis did manage to jam its “brother” during Operation Orchard. They supposedly made some upgrades in this model.
The only time they had close to parity, was when the bean counter was in charge of the Pentagon.
/johnny
Well, at least they don’t have to worry that Russia would promise them missles, and then arbitrarily cancel the deal in a few months because their president is an idiot.
I can agree with you. But never understimate your enemy and expect the unexpected.
I agree
The Israelis are masters of system design, and have layers of defense, and may, even though Obama cut the funding from our end, have the laser missile defense system initially developed by Hughes, operational - there were two, a theater and long range airborne versions that I heard of (from strictly public sources). The U.S. will have defense too, if we can both get rid of the Marxist street hustler and repair the damage he is doing to our defense management and technology. But while our left prefers that we remain sitting ducks, the Saudi’s best chance for survival is to ally with the Israelis. The Wahhabi in Ryadh are their problem but both Israel and Sunnis have a common problem with the pesky 12th Imam down the well, who will only come out when there is a big enough ruckus.
Only our left don't know the difference between defensive systems and offensive systems. It is offensive when the other guy promises to vaporize your ass. Israel would not be threatened by defensive systems, particularly if they designed them. It may be naive to think that Jimmah’s promotion of the crazy Shia in Iran (perhaps because the peanut farmer didn't like all those beautiful Persian women going to college and becoming less obedient to their rightful owners) could lead to a rapprochement between the Saudis and Israels. But we know Obama’s pal bin Talal, the guy who helped fund his education, and attended college in Menlo Park Ca and New Hampshire, would not like to see his gorgeous and scantily clad palace staff assigned to jihad duty. Reformation is possible if the alternative is annihilation.
I like your idea but I do not think that it would be a popular thing among the Saudi population and government. Their anti-semetic views still run high. Plus, you will be handing Osama Bin Laden another propaganda tool to use.
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