AA-12 is their equivalent of the AIM-120, hence the unofficial nickname “AMRAAMSKI.”
Obviously, a weapon like the AA-12 is virtually useless in a civil war, against rebels on the ground, but that’s not why Moscow has provided the upgrade. They plan to send the Syrians on missions against U.S. aircraft operating over Syria and try to shoot down our jets. Syrians might also use them in operations against the IAF.
Tactically, the Syrians are incompetent, and that’s putting it mildly. Having an active radar missile is a major upgrade for them, but unless you know how to employ it proficiently (while minimizing your own exposure), it won’t make much of a difference.
But don’t worry: Barry’s got this one figured out. It has been reported that U.S. fighters must “relocate” if they come within 20 miles of Russian jets and that retreat order will now probably be extended to Syrian aircraft as well.
How do those missiles fly with those weird egg crate fins against the flow?
Not improbably that there are some well trained Syrian
MiG drivers and this raises the cost to Israel of any
incursion into Syrian airspace (such as a mission to
Iran nuclear weapons/fissile materials sites).