Turkey hopes to buy S-400 air defense systems from Russia, page 2

Originally posted by WestPoint23
Russian claims, legendary. Israel showed what a skillful and resource rich military can do to such systems when it raided Syria unchallenged and destroyed its would be reactor. Things have progressed, claimed specifications make for nice selling points. However if its networks, even closed ones, are vulnerable to standoff infiltration then it's just another target on the ground. Furthermore, Russia is not going to sell Turkey an S-400 unit, the profit to risk ratio of such a sale is out of whack.

[edit on 27-4-2009 by WestPoint23]

First, let me just lol.

Whatever air defense systems Syria has of Russian origin, are not worth comparing to the same or similar or other systems in Russian service, and even those in service in Greece.

Firstly, there is the issue of training and actual ability to use. The Arabs have not been very good users of modern military equipment. They may have the money to splash out for fancy weapons, but they are unable to put them to effective use.

Secondly, I doubt Russia would have sold the Syrians top notch equipment, or equipment as capable as it's own in service.

Thirdly, see the other response from another poster on page one.

Finally, you may recall the massive air exercises Greece and Israel held a while ago. It was the biggest exercise Israel had held outside of it's borders, hundreds of jets involved. While there is a 99% chance the Greeks did not show Israel the S300 in these exercises, there is a good chance they showed them some things that will help them in some possible up coming scenarios.

As for Turkey buying the S400, very funny. The only western country it has actually been offered to(reportedly), was Greece, and that was during a meeting with the Greek PM before Medvedev took over Putin's role. Putin also offered Iskander, and BMP3M, which they went on to do a deal for 400+ BMP3M which needs to be finalised.

There is no valid indication from Russia that they are willing to offer Turkey even the S300, let alone the newer S400. All talk of Turkey and Russian air defense systems is coming out of Turkish media. The Turkish media is notorious for dodgy reporting. Recently they have come up with the idea that Turkey will buy Russian attack helicopters.

It will be years before Turkey does anything on this anyway. It's taken them at least a decade to decide on an attack helicopter. If Greece however upgrades to S400, expect Turkey to rush to get PAC3 or some other western system.

And those who are questioning Turkey buying Russian weapons.
Firstly, let me say Greece and Cyprus are two western countries that already use Russian weapons.
There is also aerospace co-operation between French and Russian firms.
And Turkey already operates Russian IFV's and a handful of helicopters, as well as small arms.
They also have an order for Russian Kornet-E.

[edit on 24-6-2009 by BLV12]