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Iranian Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Mostafa Mohammad Najjar announced on Wednesday that Russia had agreed to deliver the S-300 surface-to-air missile system in 2008. Najjar also said Iran is entering into negotiations with the Russians for the purchase of the Tor-M1 surface-to-air system. Russian news service Interfax quoted unnamed Russian Defense Ministry sources as saying, “In line with a contract signed several years ago, Russia will deliver S-300PMU1 air-defense systems to Iran.” There were also reports that the Iranians intend to order Russian Su-30 aircraft.
There are numerous variants on the S-300 series. The one the Iranians will likely be getting has a range of up to 90 miles, is able to maneuver at 20 g’s and theoretically can intercept targets moving in excess of Mach 8. The Tor-M1 is a short-range interceptor mounted on a tracked vehicle, able to fire multiple missiles in rapid succession. Together, these two systems represent a formidable layered air-defense system comprising the most modern Russian equipment. Along with the Su-30, this is enough to complicate any U.S. plans for air attack on Iran.
Iran’s desire to get air-defense systems from Russia is well known and long-standing. The Russians have been willing to talk to the Iranians and even sign contracts, but they have been reluctant to deliver the systems. The most important part of Wednesday’s announcement is the confirmation by the Russians — and the fact that there was not an official announcement to this effect, but rather an anonymous confirmation from a ministry source. The Iranians, on the other hand, made it clear that the Russians had committed. The Iranians want to lock the Russians in, while the Russians want to maintain some room to maneuver.
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