Russia Wavers on S-300 Sale

Hana Levi Julian Russia Wavers on S-300 Sale

A senior Russian military source confirmed on Wednesday that Moscow had signed the contract for sale of its highly advanced S-300 anti-missile defense system to the Iran two years ago.However, the source in Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, which oversees arms sales, said the deal would not be finalized until the country’s political leadership gives a green light to the sale.

A little over a week ago, an unnamed source in Moscow was quoted as saying that it was possible that the deal would be cancelled.

“The S-300 systems have not yet been delivered within the framework of the contract concluded two years ago,” said the unnamed source.

“However, the contract itself continues to be fulfilled,” he clarified in an interview carried by the RIA-Novosti and the Interfax news agencies. “The further implementation of the contract depends in large part on the developing international situation and the decision of the country’s leaders.”

Israel’s military and security experts have said that the S-300 defense system will make it much more difficult to carry out an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, regardless of whether it is conducted by combat aircraft or with ballistic missiles.

A Washington-based think tank published a report earlier this week explaining that Israel could use “Jericho” ballistic missiles to destroy – or at least to damage – the Iranian nuclear installations at Natanz, Isfahan and Arak.

According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, “Jericho” missiles can hit a target within an error margin of only a few feet. The think tank estimated that Israel has at least 42 of the missiles, and said their use is “much more feasible than using combat aircraft” in an attack against Iranian nuclear reactors.

Each S-300 system has the capability of simultaneously tracking six targets at a distance of 120 kilometers, and can fire up to 12 missiles at a time to intercept them.