From Geostrategy-Direct. Requires subscription....
MOSCOW — Iran has examined the prospect of procuring a national air and missile defense system from Russia. Sources said Iran has been dismayed by the proximity of U.S. fighter jets and warships in neighboring Iraq. The Bushehr nuclear reactor, slated to begin operations in early 2005, is located in the Persian Gulf. Russian industry sources said Moscow and Teheran have discussed the possibility of Iran purchasing a national air and missile defense system based on the S-400. The sources said Russia has presented the S-400 as being able to intercept missiles and advanced aircraft entering Iranian air space.
The offer would be for an integrated system that could alert Iran’s air force of any aircraft movement throughout the Persian Gulf as well as in parts of neighboring Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan. The alert would allow the air force to track foreign aircraft movement and plan a response. The Russian system would cost up to $4 billion and take three years to complete, the sources said. They said Rosboronexport has stressed the need for such a system for Iran’s military to repel any attempt to attack its nuclear program. Rosboronexport offered a similar air defense system to the United Arab Emirates in 2002, the sources said. Abu Dhabi has examined the system as part of its efforts to acquire air and missile defense capabilities.
Taking up to three years to complete isn’t fast enough for countermeasures to a US strike next year. Regardless, at least this shows where Pooty-Poot stands on WOT. |