Israel warns Russia: We'll neutralize S-300 if sold to Iran, page 2

You seem to be a little confused.

1. The JASSM is not even operational. It suffered a series of test failures in 2002 and the DOD is currently debating whether to continue funding for this program:

Wrong.

A. By 2006 more than 350 JASSMs had been delivered and were ready around the world if needed. The JASSM had a series of test failures, so in July 2007, a $68 million program to improve JASSM reliability and recertify the missile was approved by The Pentagon. A decision on whether to continue with the program was deferred until Spring 2008. Clearly, the reliability was a success, because the programs funding has been continued.

www.defensenews.com...

www.globalsecurity.org...

2. No JASSM's have been sold to Israel. The only foreign buyers that have been interested are Finland and Australia so far.

Misleading.

A. Australia is not 'interested' in getting JASSM. We ARE getting JASSM.

Australia is already under contract as Lockheed's first overseas buyer for the stealthy cruise missile, with its air force scheduled to take its first delivery next year.

www.flightglobal.com...

B. No S-300PMU-2 (SA-20) have been delivered to Iran either. They are reported to begin in September and continue into 2009, & it will be many more months before they can integrate it all together.

one source said, though it could take six to 12 months for them to be deployed and operable.

www.presstv.ir...

www.zimbio.com...

C. Given the USA have supplied Israel with almost 20 billion dollars from 2001 till 2007 in the form of military 'aid', & the fact that most of there fighter jets are better than the United States themselves, what makes you think they cannot get JASSM? Heck, Lockheed Martins logo is pretty much the Star of David...

www.worldpolicy.org...

D. And finally, even if they cannot use JASSM then they can use there indigenous Delilah missile which has a 150km - 400km + range depending on who you listen to. It also has a stealth coating.

www.israeli-weapons.com...

forum.keypublishing.co.uk...

www.defencetalk.com...

3. Their range is inferior to the S-300 system. With a maximum of 370km and subsonic speed, they could easily be intercepted by the SA-10 system, which is also designed for cruise missile defense.

Wrong.

A. My previous sources indicate they're getting a S-300PMU-2 with a range of 200km. You're thinking of the S-400 / SA-21 missile which is different.

B. Even IF they had the S-400, missile ranges are ALWAYS quoted at maximum possible range against a target that is at reasonable altitude and NOT maneuvering. I'd sure love to see a S-400 try & engage a F-16 maneuvering 500 feet of the deck, 370km out... That's IF the radar can even see the plane that far way... which, is unlikely as the plane is BELOW the line of site. To do that (engage) you're going to require a complex IADS, datalinked, which is something Iran does NOT have.

Between 1998 and 2002 Iran imported approximately 6 JY-14 surveillance radars from the China National Electronics Import-Export Corporation. The radar can detect targets up to 300 km away and is now part of Iran's air defense system. Even with China's help, Iran's air defenses remained porous through to 2008, perhaps on par with Iraqi capabilities demonstrated in the 1991 Gulf war. The launchers appeared to be scattered too widely prevent relatively rapid suppression. Iran also lacked the low altitude radar coverage, overlapping radar network, command and control integration, sensors, and resistance to jamming and electronic countermeasures needed for an effective air defense net. Iran therefore continued to subscribe to the point defense mode, looking to protect key installations and avoid repeating scenarios similar to those that occured during the Iran-Iraq War where Iraqi aircraft succeeded in numerous occasions in targeting key economic facilities.

& we all know how Iraq turned out....

www.globalsecurity.org...

www.globalsecurity.org...

B. It's designed to kill cruise missiles? So what? JASSM & Delilah are designed to evade air defenses. Without a comprehensive IADS the idea that Iran can stop volleys of VLO cruise missiles & countermeasures (ITALD, Delilah drone) is ludacris at best.

[edit on 18/8/2008 by C0bzz]