S-300 Air Defense System In a strategic move, Russia has decided to lift the ban on shipment of S-300 air defense system to Iran.
 |
| S-300 Air Defense System |
Although not combat proven, the S-300 system is regarded as one of the most potent anti-aircraft missile systems currently fielded.
Russia and Iran signed a $800 million deal in 2007 for five S-300 units. The deal was put on hold 3 years later due to strong international pressure during the Dimtry Medvedev's Presidency.
The decision comes when substantial progress have been made by the P5+1 Group in resolving the Iranian nuclear program, during talks held in Switzerland.
US, Israel and European allies has denounced the decision to lift the ban. The acquisition of S-300 systems would be a complete game changer for all fourth-gen aircraft like the F-15, F-16 and F/A-18 fighter jet flown by US and allies. Israel will have to think twice before planning a strike mission against Iranian nuclear installations with its non-stealthy F-16 and F-15 fighter fleet.
The S-300 essentially makes Iran attack-proof by Israel and almost any country without stealthy fifth generation fighters. Even using the fifth generation fighters would be a difficult decision.
Russian President Vladmir Putin has discussed his move in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, telling him that Israel should not be worried about the "purely defensive" weapon.
He said the system wouldn't jeopardize security of Israel or any other countries of the Middle East."
The S-300 is designed to shoot down planes and missiles at 125-mile (200-km) ranges, at a maximum altitude of 27 km.
The S-300 employs two missile types, both 7.5 metres long and 1.8 ton in weight armed with a warhead weighing 180 and 145 kg.
The system's long-range surveillance radar can track objects over a range of 300 km (185 miles), simultaneously tracking up to 100 targets.
The system launches two surface-to-air missiles against a single target to ensure high kill rate with a 3 second gap.
The engagement radar helps guide the missiles towards the target. It can guide up to 12 missiles simultaneously, engaging up to 6 targets at once.
Each launcher vehicle carries four missile containers (two missiles per target). A full battalion includes six launcher vehicles with a total of 24 missiles, plus command-and-control and long-range radar detection vehicles.
The S-300 batteries are made by the state-run Almaz-Antei, which is now building the more advanced S-400 system claimed to have anti stealth capabilities.
Reports says Russia could deliver the first S-300 system by year end.
