The Russian shipments of military aid to Syria have not materially changed in the last several years, but the shipments are expected to continue to rile Israel, with reports of more planned air defense systems to be delivered soon.
In 2013, Russia sent a Pantsir-S1 point air defense system to Syria, and plans to send a second set to Syria this year. These are the most advanced anti-aircraft missile systems in possession of the Syrian government, and since Israel is the only country really launching airstrikes against Syria’s government, it is seen as targeting them.
Though these shipments were planned for some time, Russia’s military aid to Syria has recently become a major issue, with the US in particular complaining about Russia’s support for the Syrian government. Russia has noted that the shipments are generally aimed at supporting Syria’s war against ISIS.
That’s the case with most of their shipments, indeed, but since ISIS doesn’t have an air force, the air defense systems clearly don’t have any real utility against them. Syria ordered the Pantsir-S1 systems in 2006, though most of the order has yet to be delivered.
How can a ground-to-air missile defense system in one country be reasonably regarded as "targeting" another country? If I install a burglar alarm system in my home, am I "targeting" burglars? Does this justify burglars in bombing my home, to make sure that I cannot successfully resist their burglaries?
I think these deliveries are designed to indicate that on the middle-long term, interference from a couple of neighboring countries will not be appreciated — in case they would be tempted. And I think Israel and Turkey but perhaps this is also about the plans being discussed in the West to establish "safe zones" in Syria to keep the refugees from leaving in droves. As if fighter jets passing overhead each hour will feel them more at home and courageous about the future. It might be the death raining from the skies which made them leave in the first place!
The more money Putin wastes sending arms (or "humanitarian aid") to this place or that, the more he falls into the same trap that brought down the Soviet Union.
Reasoning makes sense on those who are on an intelectual level
And what does your country do WITH TAXPAYERS MONEY
Does this not also apply to the USA which wastes far more money supplying Israel with arms?
Syria already had these missiles. This might be an upgrade, but that upgrade can be retrofit too.
Russia uses a layered missile defense. It has overlapping systems ranging from MANPADS up to the S-300 class.
All that Russia sent, according to current info, are the shorter range types it had sent in the past. This is not a technology leap.
It is a leap if the Russians are operating them, to protect Russian activities. It is even more of a leap if the Russians are doing that as Step One to sending things not sent before, things that Israel might bomb, like S-300's or advanced fighters. There is no public evidence of that, but it has no doubt occurred to those who worry about such things, and might account for the increased upset about doing more of the same as had been done for years at the technology level.
Maybe Israel shouldn't be conducting air strike on Syrian targets then, huh?
Hush! The right of Israel to defend itself shall not be infringed.
Pantsir-S1 will be the point defense system for the coming s300s
With the upgraded s300PMUs in Syria, Israeli raids over the Lebanese border or Golan will be easily contradicted.
In fact s300s in Syria south of Damascus can cover Ben Gurion itself and ANY POINTS NORTH for any raids coming north
I believe it would rile Israel to no end,because zionist Israel wants Syria for their very own, for their goal of a Greater Israel!
Vperfect answer.
Israel is riled, because it wants Syria as its own for a Greater Israel along with a few other ME countries!
The Pantsir-S1 systems are purely defensive, just like the ABM systems we installed in Eastern Europe.
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Currently Australia the United States, Turkey are all bombing Syria, there is conjecture that Turkey is in fact bombing Kurds!
It is no matter what Syria's right to control its skies!
The US and Australia are using the argument of ISIS committing genocide as their excuse to get around the War Crimes rulings in relation to ISIS but if they attempt to attack Syrian forces then that is in fact a different matter and the Syrians at least under international law have the right to protect their airspace! One reason that the Russians have said the US and Russia should work together in this matter! Please note it is not against international law for Syria to invite Russia in to help it! Is that no different from Iraq asking America and Australia to help Iraq! The civil war in Syria was not a spontaneous uprising against Assad it was an orchestrated plan by the US with funding and weapons supply, as usual those that were funded became powerful enough to do as they wished and now they are called ISIS! A US Proxy war that has gone like both Libya and Iraq went SOUR! Regime change with out thinking who was going to lead them! Well now they have ISIS leading the charge and maybe they should have a quick think here! Assad was not a serious threat to Israel a spat here and there but no big problems for a couple of decades! NOW however if ISIS wins in Syria, how many miles to Jerusalem? Sixty miles, and what will ISIS do in Jerusalem, the will destroy Israel's most significant religious monument, the Wailing wall!
The perfect place for many nations to test out their military technology in the real world.
Wether it be microwave, lazers energy and pulse beam weaponry on down to wethrr hollow points or explosive tips are best.
And let us not forget the US gift that keeps on giving for generations depleted uranium warheads.
Russian air defense systems have oonly blew apart test planes under controled conditions, no one knows if the can stop a 5 minute fom launch to over Damascus Israeli F-16 and how will it hold up against an israeli mini neutron.
Us became very profecient killers by statisticly watching every engagement down to having psycholigistn and even anthropologist telling them best ways to mentally destroy.
Our low levrl rafip freq directed enerhu can confude whole city blicks but it aldo fries operators brains in short term so there is another opportunity for weapons developement.
The most important element is dehumanizing your own tropps , one has to be carefull to not let them know that they have very little real world chance of being killedd and are in a Turkey shoot.
PILOTS BOMB AND STRAFE WITH NO OPOSITION AND MAY AS WELL BE SQUISHING ANTS,AS DO THE DRONE pilots. IT HAS bevome each run a practice run in order to hone combat skills just in case domedaythey actually will meet a sovereign nations military and not a civilian cluster f… that ee pay others to perform in.
Speaking of pay, americans are being fed a load of crap on how poorly their military pays, High 5 figures for pilots over 6 years and spec ops over 6yrs witjh 60,000 including living off post and other b