Posted on 08/11/2015 5:42:31 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Saudi Arabia is discussing buying Russia’s Iskander tactical missile systems, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said after a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday.
"Saudi Arabia is set to intensify relations with Russia in all the spheres, including in the military field," al-Jubeir said.
"Intensive contacts are taking place between the military delegations and specialists from both countries and a wide range of intended types of armaments from Russia is being discussed, including Iskander missile systems," the Saudi foreign minister said.
In general, the deliveries of Russian armaments are being actively discussed and a contract may be signed soon, the Saudi foreign minister said.
"In the past two months, our military delegations have made several visits to Russia to hold substantive talks on the types of armaments," he said.
"I’m sure such a contract will be signed soon," he added.
Iskander tactical ballistic missile systems are capable of hitting both small-size and large-area targets at a distance of up to 500 km to destroy missile and multiple launch rocket systems, long-range artillery guns, aircraft and helicopters at aerodromes, command posts and communications centers.
The Iskander tactical ballistic missile complex includes a launcher, a loader-transporter, a routine maintenance vehicle, a command post vehicle, an information post, an ammunition equipment set and training aids.
So, can the Iskander deliver the nukes the Saudis bought from the Pakis and what would it take to mate the two?
Looks like Barry’s Middle East arms race is on.
Its a tactical missile; its range is not suited for the N-strike mission unless you are talking of battlefield nukes.
Given Saudi Arabia’s primary concerns, it only needs to deliver nukes to the most important targets in Iran, so the K, with a 310 mile range, might be adequate for their strategic needs.
The E model, with 173 mile range would not do the trick, though.
If I'm looking at the right missile, its more than a battlefield rocket/missile. It has a throw of 2,000 lbs and a range of up to 300 miles, with an accuracy of 7 meters.
For the Saudis, about 30% of Iran is within 300 miles, so that makes it strategic to a degree. Problematically though, I think most of the Iranian nuclear sights are outside of that range.
Still, if the Saudis purchase hundreds of these, they could wipe out Iranian airfields and SAMs in the strike corridor.
Riyadh is outside of SBM range, coming from Iran, but all of the Saudi ports Gulf ports are within easy range, so they will need to worry about Iranian SBMs purchased with Obama's new fun money.
Thanks sukhoi-30mki.
Is the next Saudi purchases Mistral from France https://www.stratfor.com/analysis/saudi-arabia-and-egypt-covet-new-assault-ships and re-sell it to Russia?
All the usual suspects will be happy;
More than 1/3 commission to the “Russian administration”, but they have to replace the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_naval_facility_in_Tartus (where?)
Saudi get a free hand to replace the leadership of ISIS with their own and an agreement to coordinate the oil price with Russia.
Where is the US policy?
> This is most likely a part of the Saudi efforts to make Russia leave Assad in Syria.
It’s more likely part of the Obama regime’s successful alienating of all US allies.
Turkish media report Russia’s shipment of six MiG-31s to Syria; no comment from Rosoboronexport
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3325552/posts
Saudi Arabia, Russia sign nuclear power cooperation deal
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3302548/posts
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