Russia Sells Iran Advanced Air Defense System

Vladimir Putin continues to make clear that his regime is no friend to the United States. The Jerusalem Post reports:

Russia is to supply Iran with new S-300 air defense systems, Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said Wednesday, a sign of growing military cooperation between Moscow and Teheran.

The S-300 anti-aircraft missile defense system is capable of shooting down aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missile warheads at ranges of over 90 miles and at altitudes of about 90,000 feet. Russian military officials boast that its capabilities outstrip the US Patriot missile system.

Earlier this year, Russia delivered 29 Tor-M1 to Iran under a $700 million contract signed in December 2005.

Najjar said S-300 missile was one of the most sophisticated weapons in the world, with a longer range than the Tor-M1 surface-to-air missiles.

"While Tor-M1 missiles can hit targets at low altitude, S-300 missile have an extraordinary performance against targets at high altitude," Najjar said.

Military experts said that the S-300 missile systems could inflict a significant damage to the US or Israeli forces if they were to attack Iran.