15:46 19/12/2008
MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti military commentator Ilya Kramnik)
The likelihood of Russia supplying S-300 surface-to-air systems to Iran has always been a headache for the United States and its allies.
For several years the media has reported the conclusion of a contract or even the actual shipment of long-range air defense missiles to Iran. As a rule, these reports came from Iranian sources and were later denied by Russia.
On December 17, 2008, RIA Novosti, quoting confidential sources, reported on its website that Russia is to deliver S-300 surface-to-air systems to Iran. Which, based on previous experience, is most likely true. How will the balance of strength change in this region if Iran really gets the systems? (Russian mobile surface-to-air missile systems – Image gallery)
Before considering an answer, it is necessary to see what weapons Iran’s armed forces will receive and in what quantities.