Syrian military air defense to be strengthened with Russian anti-aircraft systems
Russia is taking steps to strengthen the Syrian army’s air defense, reported Izvestia newspaper, citing a well-informed source in diplomatic circles. Russian authorities are considering the possibility of sending a batch of Pantsir surface-to-air systems to Syria.
The deal was made several years ago but was only partially implemented because of financial reasons. It was decided to send the remaining Pantsirs to Damascus without demanding immediate payment for delivery.
The surveyed experts believe that the tense situation in Syria and the threat of American strikes against Assad’s forces affected Moscow’s decision.
The source refused to disclose the exact number of Pantsirs to be sent to the Syrian military but made it clear that it is at least 10 systems.
Moreover, together with the Pantsirs, command posts and additional radio-locational stations will be constructed, enabling the use of gun-missile air defense systems in the “battery-to-battery” method, where several complexes are united in one air defense battery unit to increase the effectiveness of their usage in case of massive attacks.
The contract between Russia and Syria for the supply of Pantsir gun-missile air defense systems was signed in 2008. Although details of the deal were not disclosed by the parties, according to various estimates, the deal constitutes approximately $730 million and includes between 36 and 50 air defense systems and no fewer than 700 rockets.
The last batch of Pantsirs was sent to Damascus in 2013.