Vladimir Fedorenko

Yakhont Missiles Could Protect Russian Naval Base in Syria

MOSCOW, September 20, 2010 (RIA Novosti)

Russian-made mobile anti-ship missile systems sold to Syria could be used to protect a Russian naval supply and maintenance site near Syria's Mediterranean port of Tartus, a Russian arms trade expert said on Monday.

Russia earlier announced it would honor a 2007 contract on the delivery of several Bastion anti-ship missile systems armed with SS-N-26 Yakhont supersonic cruise missiles to Syria, despite U.S. and Israel security concerns.

Syria needs to shield a 600-km stretch of its coastline from potential amphibious assaults.

"One of the purposes of the deployment of Bastion missile systems in Syria is to ensure the protection of the Russian naval site in Tartus," said Igor Korotchenko, head of a Moscow-based think tank on the international arms trade.

The Yakhont missile has a range of 300 kilometers, the capacity to carry a 200-kilogram warhead and the unique ability of being able to cruise several meters above the water surface, making it difficult to detect and intercept.

According to Korotchenko, none of the world's existing warships could thwart a Yakhont missile attack.

The Soviet-era naval maintenance site near Tartus is Russia's only military foothold in the Mediterranean. Russia plans to modernize the facility to accommodate large warships, including missile cruisers and even aircraft carriers after 2012.

Israel outraged over Russia-Syria arms deal

[ 20/09/2010 - 11:09 AM ]

NAZARETH, (PIC)--

Israel says it strongly condemns Moscow’s decision to finish a deal that would supply P-800 Yakhont cruise missiles to Syria, considering the step a disruption of (military) balance in the region.

Israeli political officials say Moscow has gone too far, noting that the deal would not improve ties between the two sides. Supplying Syria with advanced weapons at this time in particular is not a step that would encourage moderates in the Middle East, officials went on to say.

Israel expects Russia to follow through with the deal, despite promises from Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to withdraw from it, the Israeli YNet paper reported.

Israel demands that Russia provides clarity to its concerns that Syria would use the rockets in question to arm Hezbollah in Lebanon; a step it says would pose a threat to Israeli naval ships in the Mediterranean, particularly off the Lebanese coast.

Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said Russia does not believe the deal would risk arming “terrorists” in the region.