Russia to Send S-300 Anti-Missile System to Syria After Il-20 Crash. Moscow has announced it will supply advanced S-300 surface-to-air and jamming systems to Syria within the next two weeks.
The Russian Defense Ministry promised to take “adequate” measures to boost the security of Russian servicemen after the Israeli Air Force used the Russian Il-20 as a shield while attacking targets in Syria, which led to the downing of the aircraft by Syrian air defenses last week.
During a Monday briefing, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Moscow will deliver the S-300 air defense systems to Syria within two weeks as an adequate response to Israel’s role in the downing of the Russian Il-20 plane last week.
Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu claimed the move would “cool hotheads” in the region. But he also made little disguise of his own anger at last week’s downing of a Russian military plane, which was knocked out of the sky with 15 servicemen on board.
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“The Syrian Armed Forces will be supplied with the advanced S-300 air defense missile system within two weeks. It is capable of intercepting air threats at a range of more than 250 kilometers and simultaneously hitting several aerial targets,” Shoigu said, adding that the S-300 would significantly boost Syria’s combat capabilities.
The Amazing S-300 In Live Fire Action
Though Moscow now accepts the plane was hit by friendly fire, it blames the “deliberate” behavior of Israeli F-16 fighter planes, who were conducting bombing missions against the Syrian army.
Furthermore, Shoigu emphasized that command posts of the Syrian air defense forces would be equipped with automatic equipment that would ensure the identification of Russian aircraft by Syrian air defenses.
“Command posts of the Syrian troops and military air defense units will be equipped with automatic control system, which have been supplied only to the Russian Armed Forces. This will ensure the centralized management of all Syrian air defense forces and facilities, monitoring of the situation in the airspace and prompt target designation. Most importantly, it will ensure identification of all Russian aircraft by the Syrian air defense forces,” Shoigu said.
Russia to Jam Navigation, Radars of Planes Attacking Syria
The minister stated that Russia would jam satellite navigation, onboard radars and communication systems of combat aviation over the waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
“Russia will jam satellite navigation, on-board radars and communication systems of combat aircraft, which attack targets in the Syrian territory, in the regions over the waters of the Mediterranean Sea bordering with Syria,” Shoigu said.
Last week, it appeared that personal representations by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been enough to rule out major retaliation from the Kremlin. In the aftermath of the incident, Mr Netanyahu expressed sadness at the Russian loss of life. In return, Russian President Vladimir Putin said a “tragic chain” of accidents was to blame. He urged people not to reach “quick conclusions.”
The Israelis sent their top military men to Moscow to discuss improving cooperation. Some well-placed experts even predicted the tragedy could mark the start of a closer military cooperation.
But the high-level representations weren’t, it seems, enough to prevent a move that strikes at the heart of Israeli interests.
Israel has previously opposed the delivery of S-300 anti-aircraft systems to Syria – they make their aircraft more vulnerable. The S-300 systems are a step up from the Soviet S-200 machines currently used by regime forces. Faster, more accurate, and more durable, the new weapons have a range of up to 250km.
Article Source: sputniknews.com
