Russia Deploys SA-21 ‘Growler’ Anti-Aircraft Missile System Capable Of Hitting Tel Aviv

Vladimir Putin has deployed the advanced SA-21 ‘Growler’ anti-aircraft missile defense system to Syria with a range capable of taking down jets as far away as Tel Aviv.

The Russian military released photographs of the S-400 Air Defense System, known to NATO as SA-21 ‘Growler’, at the Latakia Airbase on the Syrian coast.

The advanced missile system, which is understood to have a maximum range of 250 miles is capable of bringing down an aircraft at a maximum altitude of 90,000 feet – which is more than twice the height of a cruising passenger airliner.

The Russian Ministry of Defence invited a group of 50 foreign journalists to the airbase where the air-defence radar system could be clearly seen.

From the heavily-defended airbase, the missile system can cover an area covering most of Syria, southern Turkey, Cyprus, the eastern Mediterranean as well as much of Israel. The missile system comes in three sections, with a central control point, a radar complex capable of tracking 300 targets and controlling six anti-aircraft missile launchers.

It is understood that the weapon system is capable of monitoring and targeting British aircraft using RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.

Russia has been steadily building up its forces in Syria, with increasing numbers of fighter-bombers and helicopter gun ships being deployed at its airbase. Russian analyst Yury Barmin said on Twitter: ‘Alleged S400 complex radar was spotted at the Russian air base in Latakia. Another “accidental” leak by Russia’s MoD.

‘By deploying S400 to Latakia, Russia sends signal to Turkey and Israel but also creates a shield over Syria’s coastal areas.’ The S-400 is also able to intercept cruise missiles and other potential airborne threats.

It is also believed to be a major threat to military aircraft such as the RAF Tornado and the US Air Force F-15 and F-16.

Russian defence officials claim it can even target the fifth-generation F-22 Raptor aircraft.

Russia is also selling the older-generation S-300 system to Iran and is considering exports of the newer weapon to India, China and Saudi Arabia.

According to a Russian missile commander speaking to Sputnik News: ‘Even if a plane is flying low and with the same speed as a vehicle moving on the ground, the radar will show it on the screen. For the S-400 there is no such thing as “stealth” aircraft, the system will see it and will shoot it down.’ source

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