Russian fighter planes sale to Syria alarms Israel

[bemildred]

JERUSALEM (AFP) - Israel is concerned about reported Russian deliveries of advanced MiG-31 fighter planes to its enemy Syria as part of an armaments drive, the top-selling Hebrew daily reported on Tuesday.

The MiG-31, considered one of the best fighters in the world, can carry guided missiles with a range of more than 200 kilometres (125 miles) and is capable of striking 24 different targets simultaneously, Yediot Aharonot said.

"This information is more concerning when put in the context of massive armaments purchases made recently by the Syrians," Yuval Steinitz, an MP from Israel's right-wing opposition Likud party, was quoted as telling the daily.

"If Syria acquires the MiG-31 we can no longer rule out the idea that this country is preparing for war," said Steinitz, a former chairman of Israel's defence and foreign affairs parliamentary committee.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070619/wl_mideast_afp/russiasyriairanmilitaryisrael

[BlackHawk706867]

1. This should give both the US and Israel cause to ponder any..

attack on either Syria or Iran... I'm happy that Russia did this actually...

ww

[AviBaruch]

2. What if they had sold them to Israel?

would you be ok with that?

Seems like more weapons is problematic, no?

[RaleighNCDUer]

3. Balance of power -

despite last year's fiasco in Lebanon, Israel is still the preeminent military power in the region, and they could only invade Lebanon because they knew that Lebanon had no effective response.

If * picks a fight with Iran, Syria would likely be dragged into it - and the US might be somewhat less likely to pick a fight if there is military parity between Israel and Syria - * would expect Israel to deal with Syria, and leave Iran for the US, but Israel may decide to sit that one out, leaving Syria on one side and Iran on the other with the inflamed Iraq in the middle.

OTOH, if * decides to go it alone it would almost guarantee that the US would use nukes against Iran, then all bets are off.

Generally speaking, ANY introduction of new arms into the region is not a good thing, no matter which side.

[BlackHawk706867]

4. More weapons is problematic indeed... Unfortunately this whole..

situation has been caused by George W Bush and his Administration... I can't believe that they are talking about using Nukes to prevent a country from getting Nukes... How friggen stupid is that?

ww

[bemildred]

5. Russia said denying reports it planned to sell fighter planes to Iran, Syria

Russia's state arms exporter denied a newspaper report Tuesday that it planned to supply jet fighters to Syria and Iran.

Russian daily Kommersant quoted unnamed sources in the military-industrial complex as saying Moscow had begun shipments of five MiG-31E interceptor fighters to Syria and that Iran would benefit from the sales.

"Russia has no plans to deliver fighters to Syria and Iran," Rosorobonexport chief Sergei Chemezov told reporters at the Paris air show, Russian news agencies said.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/872764.html

[The Magistrate]

6. Hard To see How Syria Would Pay For Them, Sir

Russia is not in any position to do it on tick just now....

[bemildred]

7. That occurred to me too.

I was mostly trying to figure out who wanted this idea spread around and why. I'm not sure I see what Syria would do with them if it had them anyway.

[BlackHawk706867]

8. I think it would be more of a deterrent for them to have them...

It might make Israel/US think before any attack...

ww

[bemildred]

9. They could just as easily provoke an attack.

And they are expensive, in many ways, and you need trained pilots, etc. etc. I am not denigrating your point, but on closer examination, it does not stand up, in my opinion. If I was Syria, a few fancy jets is not how I would spend my sparse spare change.

[The Magistrate]

11. Not In the Least, Ma'am

In a serious confrontation, they would be downed almost before they left the run-ways, if not before they started their engines to attempt take off. Syria's air force is not really a functioning organization capable of real air-fighting. Much, much more than the airplanes themselves is required for that.

[Solo_in_MD]

12. Sort of disagree with you here...

Syria is trying to build up a credible IADS (integrated air defense system). They have bought updated SAMs, surveillance radars and the comms gear required to update what they already have. If they can use it properly, it could be quite effective. The latter is the real key. For example, Iraq had first rate equipment prior to Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom, but was unable to use it effectively.

Right now many people are thinking that there will be some sort of fracas between Israel and Syria before the end of the year.

[The Magistrate]

10. Syria Could Only Do Two Things With Them, Sir

Get them shot down by the Israelis, or leave them to go derelict in bunkers.

Russia selling to Iran makes some sense, of course: they can pay, and Russia needs money to keep its aviation establishment going. There does seem to be some Cold War nostalgia in the air nowadays in certain quarters.