Russia: Delivery of S-300 Air Defense Systems to Syria ‘already started’

S-300 on display during Victory Day Parade in Moscow, 2009. (Photo credit: Vitaly V. Kuzmin)

Antiwar.com reports…

Just four days after announcing their planned delivery, Russian officials announced Friday that Russia has already started delivery of S-300 air defense systems to Syria, and that Syria is in possession of some such systems.

Exactly how many have been delivered so far is unclear. Russia has said that as many as eight systems could be delivered, with the goal of providing total coverage for all Syrian airspace from start to finish.

The S-300 is a substantial upgrade from Syria’s existing air defense system, the S-200. The new system has advanced radar covering broad swathes of territory, and missiles capable of intercepting even advanced aircraft.

Russia announced the delivery on Monday, after Israeli warplanes attacked the Syrian coast, an incident that led to the shoot-down of a Russian surveillance plane. Though Israeli officials insist the delivery won’t affect future attacks on Syria, it is clear that the S-300s allow Syria to limit Israeli access to their airspace.

READ MORE SYRIA NEWS AT: 21st Century Wire Syria Files

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