Update [2007-1-17 10:21:14 by Steven D]: Please also read Oui’s recommended diary on this topic for more information and discussion.
This has been strongly suspected for a very long time, but yesterday Russia confirmed it has delivered air defense missile systems to Iran:
Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said Tuesday that Moscow had sent air defense missiles to Iran, the first high-level confirmation that their delivery took place despite U.S. objections.
Ivanov did not specify how many missile systems had been delivered, but a ministry official speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject said not all the systems contracted for had been delivered.
“We have delivered short-range Tor-M1 missiles to Iran in accordance with the contract,” Ivanov told reporters.
Ivanov’s comments were the first official confirmation of the sale; previous reports had cited unidentified officials reporting the sale.
Ministry officials have previously said Moscow would supply 29 of the sophisticated missile systems to Iran under a $700 million contract signed in December 2005, Russian media reported.
“If the Iranian leadership has a desire to purchase more defensive weapons, we would do that,” Ivanov said, without elaborating.
I guess Putin looked into Bush’s soul too, and didn’t like what he saw there. Rusia is announcing this sale and delivery of missiles now to fire a warning shot across Bush and Cheney’s Neocon bow. It tells them (and us) very clearly with whom Russia will align itself in the event of hostilities. Russia has a large investment in Iran, and will not sit idly by while Bush destroys it. I doubt Bush is going to alter his plans, but this is a unambiguous sign that Russia will do whatever it can to oppose a US (or US sponsored) attack on Iran.
For more information about the Tor missile systems which Russia has given Iran follow me below the fold:
From the website Defense Update:
The TOR-M1 surface-to-air missile system is a mobile, integrated air defense system, designed for operation at medium-, low- and very low –altitudes, against fixed/rotary wing aircraft, UAVs [ed. note: UAV stands for Unmanned aerial vehicles, which includes drones and cruise missiles. It may have been the system employed to shoot down an American spy drone over Iranian terrirory yesterday, assuming this story from Xinhua is true.], guided missiles and precision weapon. The system is capable of operating in an intensive aerial jamming environment. The system is comprised of a number of missile Transporter Launcher Vehicle (TLV). A Russian air defense Tor battalion consists of 3 – 5 companies, each equipped with four TLVs. Each TLV is equipped with 8 ready to launch missiles, associating radars, fire control systems and a battery command post. The combat vehicle can operate autonomously, firing from stationary positions or on the move. Set-up time is rated at 3 minutes and typical reaction time, from target detection to missile launch is 5-8 seconds. Reaction time could range from 3.4 seconds for stationary positions to 10 seconds while on the move. Each fire unit can engage and launch missiles against two separate targets.
My guess is that these systems will be deployed at the nuclear facility in Natanz, and anyplace else the Iranians suspect may be targeted by American planners. Since the systems are mobile, they are unlikely to stay in anyone place too long, so as to confuse American spy satellites and other means of military reconnisance. How effective these missile systems will be in thwarting American offensive capabilities is unknown. Some media sources claim it will be effective against not only cruise missiles and guided bombs, but also against stealth aircraft. Here’s an interesting article from RIA Novrosti about this weapon system’s designer:
His top-secret agency was first called R&D Institute No. 20 (NII-20), subsequently renamed the Electrical Mechanical R&D Institute (NIEMI) and then known as NPO Antei since 1983. Over the decades, Yefremov developed several types of mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems for the Army’s air-defense units.
The list of such weapons includes the world-famous Osa-AKM SAM system with an effective horizontal range between 1,500 meters and 10 km. This system, which can hit targets at an altitude of 6 km, was supplied to 25 countries.
Yefremov also developed the self-contained army-level Tor-M1 SAM system with a horizontal range of 1-12 km and a vertical range from 100 meters to six km. Apart from Russia, the Tor-M1 system is used by China and Greece.
More about the TOR from Enemy Forces:
Tor-M1, has no counterparts in other countries. According to Russian experts, this system can best meet the requirements of Gulf states. Above all, the Tor-M1 is intended to combat high-precision attack weapons which, should hostilities begin in the region, will most likely be used to destroy oil industry facilities. Tor is indispensable against cruise missiles, guided aerial bombs and low-flying terrain-following fire support helicopters. […]
The Tor-M1 AD missile system stands out, owing to the ease of operation, an opportunity to create on its basis local automated defense systems, high efficiency in defeating cruise missiles, guided air bombs, gunship helicopters and aircraft of various modifications that can fly on extremely low altitudes and are hard to detect.
The industrial company, ANTEY Concern and state-run enterprise, Izhevsk Electro-
mechanical Plant, offer a family of the Tor-M1 AD missile systems to execute various tactical air defense tasks, including the most important one to effectively defeat high-precision weapons, front-line aviation aircraft and protect the environmentally dangerous facilities from air attacks.The Tor-M1 world-wide known AD missile system protects troops on the march and on the battlefield. It is highly effective while fighting front-line aviation aircraft, including low vulnerable, highly maneuverable aircraft that can fly on extremely low altitudes.
Iraq had nothing like this in its arsenal when it was attacked by the US in 2003. I’d rather not find out how effective it is against our forces, but it looks right now that Bush is determined to give the Russians a live action field test of TOR’s capabilities.
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I believe that’s what I mentioned …
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."Yea Steven D, I also look forward to, and enjoy reading your posts. BUT
With due respect for all the good postings of our front page diarists – maybe this may get me banned from BooMan – it’s most discouraging to see front page postings on a topic that’s covered by a Recommended Diary, in some detail and thought, without a due tip-o-the-hat, a wink or link. Same goes for comments but to a lesser degree.
It’s almost a feel that front pagers don’t read other diaries and comments.
We’re a small community, not yet 50,000 souls, a growth I’d like to see. Please, please, take a page from Firedoglake, do acknowledge others who contribute here. That’s what makes the place fun.
Also an idea; I’d suggest creating a small field in The Menu,no bigger than 1″, to list 2 or 3 of the front page posts that have scrolled way down or off the page. Maybe that’s added work, but maybe a nice feature. Or reduce the opening graphs with “Ready the Rest of this Entry” link. That’ll keep more of the front page entries visible.
Thanks for all the good efforts.
My apologies. I don’t always have time to check the recommended diaries before I post in the morning. I will try harder in the futre to do so. I will also refence Oui’s diary above. the fold.
Thanks, you’re a Prince.
No, I’m a tired arthritic grump today with too much to do, but fortunately I can hide that aspect of my personality online.
Ooops ….
Oh well. Don’t tell anyone else, okay?
it shall be our secret.
Oh, and it won’t get you banned as far as I’m concerned, nor do I think Booman would do so. If I can’t take a little constructive criticism from the community than I shouldn’t be allowed to post to the front page. In fact, I don’t know what would get someone banned around here, and I’ve certainly never asked that anyone be banned.
God forbid we turn into some of those other sites where banning people is far too routine. I personally enjoy reading what people have to say when they disagree with me, because it forces me to consider whether my opinion is really valid, or whether they mannr in which I’ve made my argument or expressed my outrage is the best one I could have made. There are lots of folks with far more knowledge on subjects that I write about that ought to feel free to tell me or anyone else here that we have it all wrong (or even partly wrong) and I hope that this community continues to be one in which debate (civil and repectful debate to be sure) is seen as a good thing. I’m not a fan of groupthink, which is why I read people whose views on most subjests are known to be far different than my own. Maybe they won’t convince me to cjange my mind in every instance, but I want to give them the opportunity to do so.
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let us down with your thoughts and writing Steven.
“Ugh, ugh” was just a slight cough to pull you over to my previous diary. I know you do your best to highlight other diarists or front page them!
All the best to you, and keep us informed.
BTW exposure of the issue at hand is what counts anyway.
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."I guess Putin looked into Bush’s soul too, and didn’t like what he saw there.
Then you’re giving him the benefit of the doubt.
so far, they haven’t received their full order. They claim to have what was delivered though up and running, I suppose our special forces have been checking into that. This is our last chance or Israels last chance to hit them without risking the potential loss of several of our fighters….before they get the rest of their order and have them operational. Russia usually sells to those who have the money though. They did hold off on selling these at our request last year and then went ahead with delivery this year, just because they sold these to Iran though doesn’t mean they would be our sworn enemy if we hit Iran. Russia is part of the global industrial military complex more so than the U.S. is, they produce and sell for profit and it’s an upfront business for them.
this is the completion of the contract so they do now have all the systems they ordered. Wonder if they are all operational? If they are and they have properly trained people manning the systems, if anybody attempts to hit Iran they’ll have to be prepared to risk losing fighters.
I suspect that they are, or Russia wouldn’t have confirmed the delivery now. This story has been known about for some time (Tom DeLay was complaining about it back in 2005) so the reason for confirming delivery is to send a message to the Bush administration. I especially like the not so veiled threat that Russia will sell other military systems to Iran should they request them. My guess is that further orders are already in the pipeline.
the situation to justify arms sales to Iran 😉 It isn’t like Russia needs to fear the United States anymore….we’re just bunch of IED eating pussies these days. If they really meant to take a swipe at us they really could load Iran up with some stuff that would mess with us straight across the board and back….they aren’t giving the stuff away though. It was 700 million for 29 systems and Iran has many millions more to be had during their hour of need.
No one large really need fear us anymore as we are stretched to the breaking point now. It is worth repeating.
Link: http://www.ausairpower.net/ascms.pdf
Sunburns and Yakhonts, per the above link the Australian navy (mostly US equipment) figures that a salvo of 8 of the above type missiles will sink an optimally defended ship.
And the Yakhont (SS-N-26) is designed to differentiate carriers from their escorts. IIRC the Iranians inked a $5 billion purchase of these critters back in 2001.
Maybe we should start to worry when our naval forces LEAVE the gulf.
of Iranian pilots is not very good. They get little training for flying the aircraft and then those who are trained during the sale of the aircraft have to teach the others. Their pilots don’t have the same expertise that the pilots who come from the country of “the makers” have and don’t get much flight time to train. They don’t have instant access to airframe parts or many people capable of making repairs and preforming maintenance so flight time for training is usually very limited.
Problem is, you don’t have to be a very good pilot to launch some missiles from a hole in a mountain on the shores of the gulf (or even from an airplane hundreds of kilometers away from your target.)
Iran’s military planning pretty much assumes their planes would get shot down in any engagement with US forces. Hence their interest in surface to surface missile tech.
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(August 16, 2006) – Hizballah’s successful use of the C-802/SACCADE anti-ship cruise missile against an Israeli corvette caught both the U.S. and Israel by surprise. The general consensus among defense intelligence analysts is that Iran’s small cadre of IRGC operatives attached to Hizballah (estimated to be about 100 men) helped arm this weapon and guide it to its target. Hizballah’s successful use of the C-802 also raises questions about the safety of U.S. warships in the Persian Gulf in the event of Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz in reaction to U.S. military action against the Teheran regime. Iran reportedly has “hundreds” of these missiles (C-802s) lining its shore of the Strait.
(COMMENT: Contrary to some press reports, the C-802 is not an adaptation of the Chinese Silkworm, but rather a Chinese improvement on the [originally French] Exocet that was used effectively by the Argentine navy in the Falklands war in 1982 …)
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."So I spoke him about Russia completing this contract and he has the exact opposite opinion from yours. He says that a Tor M-1 isn’t dangerous to the United States unless we don’t know it’s out there. If we know it’s out there we locate it and shoot about 5 cruise missiles at it. It only holds eight missiles at a time and it can only fire at two targets at once and 5 missiles would overwhelm the system and at least one of them would take out the whole system. When Russia confirms publicly that it sold 29 systems to Iran it’s telling us that we had better make sure we know where all 29 are when we go in. It removes our ability to blame them if we get hit by one of them too.
Couldn’t they just stick with selling some good quality vodka? (So sez boran2, descendant of Russian peasants.)
The Russians ripped the Iranians off by selling them this system. It won’t defend them from the air attacks they might experience from the U.S. or Israel.
Why? Details?