Russia ratchets up US tensions with arms sales to Iran and Venezuela

Russia ratchets up US tensions with arms sales to Iran and Venezuela

www.timesonline.co.uk

Russia defied the United States yesterday by announcing plans to sell military hardware to Iran and Venezuela.

The head of Russia’s state arms exporter said that he was negotiating to sell antiaircraft systems to Iran despite American objections. Russia has already delivered 29 Tor-M1 missile systems under a $700 million (£386 million) deal with Iran in 2005.

(visit the link for the full news article)

I suppose from Russia's perspective they are only doing what the US is doing by supplying Israel and other countries with arms. It's a dangerous game.

Reports have circulated for some time that the Kremlin is preparing to sell its S-300 surface-to-air missile system to Iran, offering greater protection against a possible US or Israeli attack on the Islamic republic’s nuclear facilities. The missiles have a range of more than 90 miles (150km).

www.timesonline.co.uk
(visit the link for the full news article)

IMO, this is only scary to those that want war with Iran. The US and allies are shoring up their defense systems in Russian and Iranian border countries. It only makes sense that Russia and Iran would do the same. It seems to be a strategic move at this point. If the roles were reversed and Russia was the first to commit defense systems in their bordering countries, the allies would be shipping defense systems all over the globe to surround them as well.

Dooh, I forgot, thats already been done.

That article is frustratingly short on specifics - have they committed to selling Iran the S-300, or not?

Personally, anything that makes US involvement in a disastrous war with Iran less likely is good news.

reply to post by xmotex


The S-300 missile system looks like it won't be getting supplied soon.

U.S. says Iran won't get Russian missile system soon

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States does not expect Iran to receive a Russian air defence system this year, a Pentagon official said on Tuesday of the shield that would make any strike on Tehran's nuclear sites more difficult

Eric Edelman, the Pentagon's undersecretary for policy, was responding to questions at a Senate hearing about reports that Iran would soon acquire an advanced Russian anti-aircraft missile system.

"To the best of my knowledge, I don't believe we think the missiles referred to ... are in fact slated for delivery by the end of this year," Edelman told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

He could of course be wrong, but considering the Tor-M1 system took 3 years to supply, a reasonable time frame is probable.

Originally posted by Shere Khaan


I suppose from Russia's perspective they are only doing what the US is doing by supplying Israel and other countries with arms. It's a dangerous game.

Reports have circulated for some time that the Kremlin is preparing to sell its S-300 surface-to-air missile system to Iran, offering greater protection against a possible US or Israeli attack on the Islamic republic’s nuclear facilities. The missiles have a range of more than 90 miles (150km).

www.timesonline.co.uk
(visit the link for the full news article)

Iran and Venezuela can buy all the weapons they want if it came down to it they still wouldn't stand a chance in a conventional fight. Russias just trying to make some cash while offering false hope to our enemies. Russia has a long way to go before they can catch up to our military.

[edit on 18-9-2008 by wantsome]