RUSSIA VOWS TO ADVANCE ISKANDER MISSILE FOR SYRIA & IRAN
MOSCOW [MENL] -- Russia has pledged to complete development of a
surface-to-surface missile that has been marketed to Iran and Syria.

Officials said the Russian Defense Ministry plans to complete development of
the Iskander-E short-range missile. The SS-26 solid-fuel missile has a range
of 280 kilometers and is meant to defeat U.S. missile defense systems, such
as the PAC-3.

"This year we expect the completion of the state testing of the Iskander
high-precision missile system," Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexei
Moskovsky said.

Moskovsky told the Russian newspaper Nezavisimaya that Moscow has invested
in the development of missiles meant to penetrate missile defense systems,
particularly those of the United States. He did not rule out that these
missiles would be exported to Moscow's clients.
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