Russia: Modernized version of S-300 to be delivered to Iran
Code: 81701696 (4792903) | Date: 31/07/2015 | Time: 00:28|
http://217.25.54.55/en/News/81701696/

Moscow, July 31, IRNA – Vladimir Kozhin, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s
aide on military-technical cooperation said that Russia is assembling a more
advanced version of its S-300 surface-to-air missile defense system to begin
its shipment to Iran by 2016.

He noted that Moscow is also modernizing some parts of the system and
changing contract terms such as the pricing.

“The Iranians want them as soon as possible, and we are trying too. There is
activity to prepare new legal contracts, new conditions and thus prepare
systems for delivery,” Kozhin said.

He added that some of the military systems that had been intended for sale
to Iran were supplied to other clients, and that some parts of other S-300
systems stored across Russia have undergone “serious modernization” with the
passage of years.

In April, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan
announced that Iran will receive the S-300 air defense systems from Russia
in 2015.

'We will sign the contract for the delivery of S-300 air defense systems
with the Russian side during an upcoming visit to Moscow in the current
year,' Brigadier general Dehqan said prior to his departure to Moscow to
take part in 2015 International Moscow Security Conference.

He noted that the Iranian Defense Ministry has studied the details of the
S-300 contract and the air defense system will be delivered to Iran before
the end of 2015.

'What is important is that since the beginning of talks about this contract,
the Americans and the Zionist regime voiced their opposition to the sale of
S-300 systems and called for a halt to the implementation of the contract,'
Brigadier General Dehqan said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday removed the ban on the delivery
of the missile shield to Iran.

Following the announcement, Brigadier General Dehqan said 'the decree came
as an interpretation of the will of the two countries' political leaders to
develop and promote cooperation in all fields'.

Putin's decision was announced hours after relevant reports said the Kremlin
also plans to supply China with the advanced S-400 air defense system.

On Tuesday, Putin said during a meeting with Iran's Admiral Shamkhani that
his decision to deliver the sophisticated S-300 air defense missile systems
to Tehran set a role model at global class that every nation should remain
loyal to its undertakings.

'The decision which was taken today bears this clear message that all
countries are necessitated to remain committed to their undertakings,' Putin
said at the meeting in Moscow today.

Earlier this month, a leading Russian defense expert said that his country
may resume the deal to deliver S-300 surface-to-air defense systems to Iran.

After negotiators from Iran, the United States and other world powers agreed
on April 2 to a framework for a final agreement on Tehran’s nuclear program,
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that a UN arms embargo
against Iran should also go.

'Lifting sanctions on Iran, including the arms embargo, would be an
absolutely logical thing to do,” said Igor Korotchenko, who heads the Global
Arms Trade Analysis Center think tank in Moscow.

“Of key importance to us is the delivery of the upgraded S-300 missiles to
Iran… A contract to this effect could be resumed on terms acceptable to both
Moscow and Tehran,” he added.

In January, Tehran and Moscow signed an agreement to broaden their defensive
cooperation and also resolve the problem with the delivery of Russia's S300
missile defense systems to Iran.

The agreement was signed by General Dehqan and his visiting Russian
counterpart General Sergei Shoigu in a meeting in Tehran in January.

The Iranian and Russian defense ministers agreed to resolve the existing
problems which have prevented the delivery of Russia's advanced air defense
systems to Iran in recent years.

The two sides also agreed to broaden their defense cooperation and joint
campaign against terrorism and extremism.

In 2007, Iran signed a contract worth $800mln to buy five Russian S300
missile defense systems.

But the deal was scrapped in 2010 by the then-Russian President Dmitry
Medvedev, who was unilaterally expanding on sanctions against Iran imposed
by the UN Security Council.

Iran filed a $4bln lawsuit against Russia in the international arbitration
court in Geneva, which is currently pending review.

Moscow has struggled to have the lawsuit dropped, including by offering the
Tor anti-aircraft systems as replacement, media reported in August, adding
that the offer was rejected by Tehran.

The Antei-2500, however, may be a better solution, the reports said. The
system does not formally fall under the existing sanctions against Iran
while still being useful for the Middle-Eastern country.

While the S-300 was developed for the use by missile defense forces, the
Antei-2500 was specifically tailored for the needs of ground forces, which
could also be an advantage for Iran, known for its large land force.

Later, Iran rejected the offer, stressing that it would not change its
order.

The S-300 is a series of Russian long range surface-to-air missile systems
produced by NPO Almaz, all based on the initial S-300P version. The S-300
system was developed to defend against aircraft and cruise missiles for the
Soviet Air Defense Forces. Subsequent variations were developed to intercept
ballistic missiles.

The S-300 system was first deployed by the Soviet Union in 1979, designed
for the air defense of large industrial and administrative facilities,
military bases, and control of airspace against enemy strike aircraft.

In the meantime, Iran designed and developed its own version of the S-300
missile shield, known as Bavar (Belief) 373. The Iranian version has
superior features over the original Russian model as it enjoys increased
mobility and reduced launch-preparation time.

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