Author Topic: S-300 delivery news (Read 20608 times)

Catsoo · « **on:** October 03, 2009, 03:37:29 PM »

What a scare tactic news! More propaganda like many other news we get these days!

The Other Ticking Clock in Iran

Forget about Iran's nukes for the moment. The real crisis is its drive for advanced surface-to-air missiles.
BY CHRISTIAN CARYL | OCTOBER 2, 2009

The recent revelations about Iran's nuclear program -- centering on an enrichment facility buried in a mountain near the holy city of Qom -- have almost certainly intensified the sense of urgency among policymakers in Jerusalem. Even though the news has triggered a new round of high-stakes diplomacy (including an unusual bilateral meeting between Americans and Iranians), you can bet that Israeli military planning for an attack on the Islamic Republic's nuclear facilities has moved into overdrive. Yet there's another ticking clock the Israelis are worried about that hasn't been in the headlines quite so much.

COMMENTS (12) Read comments at the link

For years now, Tehran has been working hard to acquire sophisticated Russian antiaircraft missiles that would make it far tougher for Israeli planes to stage a successful attack on Iranian nuclear facilities. One Israeli lawmaker, Zeev Elkin, even warned last week that delivering the missiles could even speed up the timing of an Israeli air raid. "I hope Moscow understands that the deliveries will at least speed up such events, if not trigger them," Elkin told the Russian daily Kommersant. Experts estimate that a working Iranian nuclear weapon is still probably at least a year away, depending on a host of contingencies. But the Russian missiles, which just might ensure that Iran's nuclear installations can be protected from attack, could be delivered at any time. So it's easy to understand why, right now, Israeli minds seem to be focused on the more urgent of these two ticking clocks.

The system in question is the S-300 -- actually something of a catchall term because the name covers several systems of varying ages and levels of effectiveness. The S-300 is essentially the Russian equivalent of the American Patriot: quick-reaction missiles designed to defend large areas of airspace against incoming airplanes and ballistic missiles. Although the S-300 has never been tested under combat conditions, military experts have a high opinion of its capabilities -- especially those of the more recent variants like the PMU-2 Favorit (known in the West as the SA-20B), which can track 100 targets while engaging up to 12. It can hit targets as far as 120 miles away. "It's a high-technology weapon," said Siemon Wezeman of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, which tracks arms shipments around the world. "It has an impact which is not restricted to just two or three square kilometers. It's a major thing."

Russia apparently first offered the Iranians the chance to buy S-300s in 2005, but then pulled back on the deal due to diplomatic controversies surrounding Iran's nuclear programs. In 2007, Tehran signed a contract to buy several S-300 batteries -- or so at least it would seem. Confusion about the actual state of the deal has swirled ever since. Anatoly Isaikin, director of Russia's state arms export company, confirmed in September of last year that the two countries were negotiating a sale. In April of this year Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mehdi Safari visited Moscow to push things along and declared, "There are no problems with this contract." Yet so far none of the system appears to have been delivered to the Iranians.

The Israelis don't seem reassured. For months they've been lobbying Moscow to hold off on delivering the missiles. Israel's Russian-speaking foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, visited the Kremlin in June, and the missile deal figured large in his discussions with Russian officials. President Shimon Peres turned up in Russia in August to drive home the point. In September, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also set off for talks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. First item on the agenda: S-300s. (Netanyahu at first told the press he was headed somewhere else, but the cover story soon fell through, igniting considerable controversy back at home.)

Why are the Israelis so worked up? Simple. Just consider the air raid -- dubbed "Operation Orchard" -- staged by Israel on a suspected nuclear facility in Syria in September 2007. (U.S. and Israeli officials contend that the Syrian installation was built with help from the North Koreans.) The Syrian air defenses consisted largely of the same missiles the Iranians have now -- Russian-made Tor M1s (known by NATO as SA-15s). But they didn't leave a scratch on the attackers. The Israelis successfully befuddled the Syrian radars and didn't lose a single plane; the Syrian target was completely wiped out. The raid has been described as a "dress rehearsal" for a possible attack on Iranian sites.

The whole affair might have worked out rather differently had the Syrians been equipped with S-300s -- and the Israelis know it. The Russians boast that, in stark contrast to the Patriot, the S-300 actually hits warheads rather than missile bodies. (It is well remembered in the missile business that most Iraqi Scuds that were intercepted by Patriots during the first Gulf War made it to their targets anyway.) The Russians also claim that the powerful radars of their latest generation of air-defense missiles can even cope with stealth aircraft. "It's long range; it's high altitude; it's fast," said John Pike, founder of defense industry Web site GlobalSecurity.org. "At minimum the S-300 would force the Israelis to take extensive countermeasures, like using aircraft with jammers, aircraft with anti-radiation missiles, drones with decoys -- this whole three-ring circus that you would need to get past it."

Small wonder that many observers think Israel would go to considerable lengths to prevent a shipment of the high-tech missiles. Earlier this year an Israeli hand was immediately suspected in the peculiar case of the Arctic Sea, the cargo ship that was mysteriously hijacked in the Baltic Sea this summer and then disappeared from view for several weeks until the Russian Navy finally caught up with it off the coast of Cape Verde. Rumor had it that the ship, which had made a stop in the Russian port of Kaliningrad before setting out on its voyage, was carrying S-300 parts (perhaps illicitly obtained by organized criminals) to Iran. Perhaps the Mossad was behind the hijacking?

We'll probably never know what really happened. The hijackers were taken into custody by the Russians and have since been held incommunicado. But the idea of Israeli involvement seems unlikely for many reasons (not least the sloppiness with which the hijacking was carried out). As Wezeman of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute points out, you don't really own the S-300 if you only have a few scavenged parts -- the whole weapon comprises a big package, including truck-mounted launchers and bulky radar units. Plus, he notes, the equipment is essentially useless without the necessary technical support and multiyear maintenance contracts, which will only come with a legally delivered system.

Some of the most intriguing maneuverings surrounding Iran's effort to beef up its air defenses are taking place in the public arena. Russian officials -- all the way up to President Medvedev himself -- have publicly stressed that Moscow is within its rights to sell S-300s to Tehran, arguing that the Iranians are entitled to any defensive systems they wish to own (and that this doesn't violate the U.N. embargo on supplying Iran with nuclear-related technology). Yet the fact that the Kremlin feels compelled to make the case suggests that the lobbying is having some effect. And not only from the Israelis. Some experts think the Barack Obama administration's cancellation of ballistic missile defense plans in Eastern Europe might have involved a countermove by Russia to back off from delivering S-300s to Tehran. Could that, perhaps, be connected with the recent news from Saudi Arabia? It turns out that the Saudis have been offering the Russians a better price for the sale of the S-300 to them instead of to the Iranians (whose nuclear aspirations are only slightly less disturbing to Riyadh than to Tel Aviv).

But the Russians have to be careful. The Chinese have apparently offered to sell the Iranians their own version of the S-300, a cheaper knockoff of the Russian original. Moscow doesn't want to lose its present favored position as the cheap weapons supplier to Iran, one of the few big arms markets left where Russia is an undisputed leader. Weapons sales are big business for Moscow tycoons. (Just to make things even more interesting, the company that makes the S-300 is run by ex-KGB man Viktor Ivanov, a major ally of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.)

Still, it's safe to assume that some skulduggery has already been taking place out of the public eye. The Israelis (and the Americans) must be keeping a close eye on every Russian cargo airplane that enters Iranian airspace, not to mention ships traveling between the two countries across the Caspian Sea. And given the tensions, it's easy to imagine that Israeli special forces are already hunkered down in the desert outside Natanz and Arak, keeping a close eye on everything that's happening in the surrounding countryside and getting ready to switch on their laser pointers when the time is ripe -- as they apparently did in the run-up to the 2007 raid in Syria. This story is far from over.

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2009/10/02/the_other_ticking_clock_in_iran#

Shirazi · « **Reply #1 on:** October 03, 2009, 04:15:43 PM »

Quote

And given the tensions, it's easy to imagine that Israeli special forces are already hunkered down in the desert outside Natanz and Arak, keeping a close eye on everything that's happening in the surrounding countryside and getting ready to switch on their laser pointers when the time is ripe -- as they apparently did in the run-up to the 2007 raid in Syria.

It's like something out of James Bond. Do people still believe that Syria was building a nuclear reacter?

Catsoo · « **Reply #2 on:** November 12, 2009, 04:02:32 PM »

Iran Seeks S-300 Delivery

12 November 2009
TEHRAN, Iran — Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi urged Russia on Wednesday to deliver on an air-defense contract that the two countries signed and ignore Israeli pressures for delaying the deal.

Vahidi said Moscow was under an obligation to carry out the contract to provide S-300 missiles to Tehran, the semiofficial ILNA news agency reported.

A senior Iranian lawmaker warned Russia on Sunday not to delay delivery of the S-300s, which Russia signed a contract to sell to Iran in 2007.

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/iran-seeks-s-300-delivery/389317.html

Shirazi · « **Reply #3 on:** November 14, 2009, 08:36:51 PM »

I think they may be refering the the Chinese HQ 9 system, which many believe is a reverse engineered S-300.

vapors · « **Reply #4 on:** November 14, 2009, 11:49:21 PM »

Iran needs the SA-300 NOW, i.e., immediately. Does anyone think that Iran will be back-stabbed by Russia in an attempt to please the West.

And what about the Chinese clone of SA-300. Is there any chance that China will sell some to Iran in the very near future? That may prompt the Russians to sell their systems and take that business away from China.

Any thoughts?

Catsoo · « **Reply #5 on:** November 15, 2009, 06:27:20 AM »

In warning to Russia, Iran says it can build S-300
Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:22:20 GMT

"If Tehran obtained the S-300, it would be a game-changer in
military thinking for tackling Iran," says long-time Pentagon
advisor Dan Goure.

With the delivery of an advanced air defense system to Iran long overdue by Russia, Tehran says it is capable of mass-producing replicas of the controversial Russian-made missile in the near future.

Speaking to Mehr News Agency on Saturday, Head of Iran's Foreign Policy and National Security Commission in Parliament Alaeddin Boroujerdi said Tehran and Russia have a long history of military cooperation and it is crucial that Russia honors its commitments with respect to Iran.

"The Russians should meet their commitment on the delivery of the missile system, which will only be used to defend the country's territory," said the Iranian lawmaker.

He was referring to the Russian-made S-300 surface-to-air missile system, which can track targets and fire at aircraft 120 km (75 miles) away, features high jamming immunity and is able to simultaneously engage up to 100 targets.

Boroujerdi went on to warn Russia that "Iran is not a country which would stop short of action in dealing with countries who fail to deliver on their promises."

He said that while the Islamic Republic will be able to mass produce the system in the near future, Russia's commitment to the deal could lay the ground for future cooperation.

The remarks come as Russia and Iran clinched a deal on the sale of S-300 system in December 2007. Unofficial reports claim that the Russian-Iranian contract on the sale of the S-300 missiles is worth $800 million.

The delay on the delivery of the system comes as earlier in September, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a secret trip to Moscow during which he is believed to have discussed with Russian leaders measures to hold off on providing the ultramodern anti-aircraft missiles to Iran.

After the media spilled the beans on the controversial visit, Sergei Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, refused to deny the reports about the Israeli official's secret trip.

"I am only going to say: to verify the rumor you should go to the source of the rumor," he said. "Our co-operation with Iran is quite legitimate. We are not selling offensive weapons to Iran."

Lavrov described the S-300 system as purely defensive, adding, "As far as the trade of military elements goes, Russia has not violated [its] international obligations."

Despite the remarks by the Russian foreign minister, Russia has yet to deliver the system to Iran and military officials in Moscow are yet to give an explanation about the delay.

Meanwhile, as rumors began to circulate that Moscow had scrapped the deal, deputy director for Russia's federal service for military-technical cooperation Konstantin Biryulin said on Thursday that the matter was still under consideration despite mounting Western pressure over military dealings with Iran.

"The issue of S-300 deliveries is still under discussion," he was quoted as saying by RIA Novosti.

Reacting to the delay, a top Iranian military official urged Russia on Friday to honor its military contract with the Tehran government and deliver the promised S-300 surface-to-air missiles.

Major General Hassan Firouzabadi, the chief of staff of Iran's armed forces, said that Moscow was now six months late in delivering the S-300 missiles to Tehran.

"Don't the Russian [political and military] strategists consider the geopolitical significance of Iran in ensuring Russia's security," asked Firouzabadi.

Iran says it has opted to acquire the sophisticated S-300 defense system — which, according to Western experts, would rule out the possibility of an Israeli airstrike on Iranian nuclear sites — to protect the country in case of any such attack.

Israel has repeatedly threatened to strike Iran's nuclear facilities, including the uranium enrichment plant at Natanz or the country's first atomic power plant, which has been under construction by Russian workers in Bushehr for years, arguing that the country's nuclear activities are an existential threat to Tel Aviv's security.

This is while Tehran says its nuclear program is aimed at the civilian applications of the technology and has called for the removal of weapons of mass destruction from across the globe.

CS/HGH

http://presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=111278&sectionid=351020101

Catsoo · « **Reply #6 on:** November 17, 2009, 04:13:18 AM »

Anxiety building in Iran over late delivery of Russian air defense system

NICOSIA — Iran is for the first time publicly expressing unease over the more than six-month delivery delay of the S-300 air defense system from Russia. ShareThis

A senior official said Russia's Rosoboronexport was to have delivered the S-300 to Iran by April 2009. The official said Iran has demanded answers from the Kremlin regarding the $1 billion contract.
"Why haven't they delivered the S-300 missiles?" Iranian Chief of Staff Gen. Hassan Firouzabadi asked. "More than six months have now passed since they were supposed to deliver them."

This marked the first time that Iran has reported the delivery schedule of the S-300 project by Russia. Senior Iranian officials and military commanders have become vocal over Moscow's failure to deliver the S-300, with a reported interception range of 120 kilometers.

"Russia has to fulfill the contract and not be influenced by Zionist pressure," Firouzabadi said on Nov. 13.

Moscow has acknowledged delays in the S-300 project. The Kremlin has reassured Teheran that the S-300 would be delivered, but did not say when.

"Don't Russian strategists realize Iran's geopolitical importance to their security?" Firouzabadi asked.

On Nov. 11, Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said Russia could be in violation of the S-300 contract. Vahidi said Moscow and Teheran signed a contract for the S-300, which he said has not been delivered. The contract was said to have included penalties of up to 40 percent.

"We don't think Russian officials would want to be seen in the world as contract violators," Vahidi said.

On Nov. 16, relations between Iran and Russia appeared further strained when Moscow announced another delay in the Bushehr nuclear reactor project.

Officials said Iran's $1 billion reactor, built by Russia and more than five years behind schedule, would not be ready for operations by 2010 because of unspecified technical difficulties.

"The launch will not happen by the end of the year," Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko said.

http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2009/me_iran0892_11_16.asp

Catsoo · « **Reply #7 on:** November 17, 2009, 04:15:31 AM »

Quote

On Nov. 11, Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said Russia could be in violation of the S-300 contract. Vahidi said Moscow and Teheran signed a contract for the S-300, which he said has not been delivered. The contract was said to have included penalties of up to 40 percent.

So, not only Russia will have to return the one billion dollars but also an additional $400 million. Very smart move on the part of Iranians when dealing with Russians.

catsoo

Shirazi · « **Reply #8 on:** November 17, 2009, 04:16:37 AM »

Knowing the Russians, they will delay the refund as well.

kibolbo · « **Reply #9 on:** November 19, 2009, 09:32:02 PM »

Quote from: Catsoo on November 17, 2009, 04:15:31 AM

So, not only Russia will have to return the one billion dollars but also an additional $400 million. Very smart move on the part of Iranians when dealing with Russians.

catsoo

What if Russia returns none of that money?

Ambassador · « **Reply #10 on:** November 19, 2009, 10:34:41 PM »

As far as we know Iran hasn't payed anything yet.

sami86 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 23, 2009, 06:06:44 PM »

if iranians specialists could they would

Catsoo · « **Reply #12 on:** November 24, 2009, 01:56:48 AM »

Quote

As far as we know Iran hasn't payed anything yet.

This statement is totally contrary to the news we have received so far. Russians would not for minute consider it a 'sale' if they didn't receive some payments, to sat theleast!

catsoo

sami86 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 24, 2009, 06:39:07 PM »

Commander: Iran Able to Replace S-300 with Other Air-Defense Systems

TEHRAN (FNA)- An Iranian top military commander on Tuesday underlined that Tehran is able to replace the Russian-made anti-aircraft S-300 missiles with other air defense systems in case Russia shrugs off contract terms for the delivery of S-300 missiles to Iran.

"If they do not deliver S-300 defensive system to us, we have replacements and we can supply our operational requirements through innovative techniques and different designs," Deputy Commander of Khatam ol-Anbia Air Defense Base for Coordination General Hassan Mansourian told reporters on the sidelines of countrywide military drills, codenamed ''Modafean-e Aseman-e-Velayat 2'.

"In times of crisis, we endeavor to supply all the needed materials from inside the country by initiating wide-range steps and continued research," Mansourian added.

Elsewhere, he pointed out that different types of weapons and equipments, including radars, missiles and anti cruise systems will be tested during the exercises.

The Iranian Armed Forces on Sunday started a series of wargames to enhance preparedness of nuclear sites' air defense units for confrontation against possible enemy attacks.

The commander further blamed US and Zionist lobbies' pressures on Russia for the delay in the delivery of the sophisticated anti-aircraft S-300 missile systems.

According to Western experts, the S-300 missile defense system would shield Iranian nuclear sites against any Israeli airstrike.

Israel has repeatedly threatened to halt Iran's nuclear program through military means.

The S-300 system, which can track targets and fire at aircraft 120 km (75 miles) away, features high jamming immunity and is able to simultaneously engage up to 100 targets.
http://english.farsnews.net/newstext.php?nn=8809031729

Kabbalah · « **Reply #14 on:** November 28, 2009, 05:07:28 PM »

Iran expects Russia to supply its rocket launchers C-300 over the next two months, despite furious objections from the United States and Israel, said Tehran's ambassador in Moscow Sadzhadi Reza Mahmud, said.

"There are statements by certain parties that these weapon systems will be not delivered to Iran. But when we looked for the responsible government officials, they denied the allegations," said Sadzhadi during a press conference in Moscow.

"From the tone of discussions judge that the issue would be resolved within a month or two," the Iranian diplomat added, explaining that the delay in delivery of Russian arms due to technical problems.

In recent months the Kremlin is under strong international pressure not to sell missile launchers to ayatolasite regime. Moscow officially denies that it is now blocking the implementation of the deal, negotiated in 2006, but however far it was to warn Tehran that its eventual failure will give rise to the filing of legal action.

Another Russian project in Iran - the nuclear reactor in Bushehr, is also viewed with suspicion by the West. Week ago, Russia announced that it will not fulfill its commitments to the completion of power "for technical reasons. However, Tehran has announced that nuclear reactors will most likely be in operation for the Iranian new year (21 March).

Indicative of friction on the Moscow-Tehran axis was adopted today a resolution of the Board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The document, first like the last four years has been supported by Russia and China and condemning Iran, that has built a second secret installation to enrich uranium.

The text of the resolution was immediately criticized by the representative of Tehran in the IAEA, Ali Ashgar Soltanie which it defined as "hasty and unwarranted".

"The adoption of this resolution not only fails to resolve the current situation, but will also jeopardize the favorable environment that is vital to the success of the negotiation process in Geneva and Vienna," said Soltanie quoted by Britain's Guardian.

He added that as a reaction to Iran would limit its cooperation with the agency to possible legal minimum, and will not voluntarily provide access to its nuclear sites.

Username · « **Reply #15 on:** November 28, 2009, 05:08:32 PM »

Envoy: Moscow Committed to Deliver S-300 Missiles to Iran

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Ambassador to Moscow Mahmoud Reza Sajjadi Friday said that the Russian officials have told him they still honor a contract to deliver the sophisticated anti-aircraft S-300 missile system to Iran.

Visiting "Argomenti" Daily in Moscow on Friday afternoon, Sajjadi said that the Russian officials have always talked about recognition of military and technical cooperation contract with Iran and declared their commitment to execute the contract.

He added that the Russian officials are also committed to complete Bushehr Power Plant and they hope that the power plant starts its activity in the shortest possible time, the Islamic republic news agency reported.

Concerning US and its allies action for issuing a resolution in International Atomic Energy Agency( IAEA) Board of Governors against Iran's nuclear program, Sajjadi said that according to the declared stances of Iran's permanent representative in IAEA, in case of approval of the resolution Iran will decrease its ties with the IAEA.

http://english.farsnews.net/newstext.php?nn=8809070590

Catsoo · « **Reply #16 on:** November 30, 2009, 06:29:51 AM »

Quote

Iran expects Russia to supply its rocket launchers C-300 over the next two months,

?

catsoo

Kermanshahi · « **Reply #17 on:** December 28, 2009, 01:11:02 PM »

Here are some past articles about this:

S-300P (SA-10 Grumble) - 18 August 1993
....
In 1993, Iran procured an unidentified number of S-300PMU-1 missiles from Russia. Kuwait expressed its own interest shortly afterward....
http://www.missilethreat.com/missiledefensesystems/id.50/system_detail.asp

Russia: Moscow Confirms Missile-Systems Deal With Iran - February 10, 2006
...
Reports that Iran two years ago acquired two S-300 batteries that have been deployed near Tehran remain unconfirmed to this date.

"Kommersant" last month reported that Russian defense officials were in the Iranian capital to negotiate the sale, tentatively scheduled for March, of S-300 systems for a total sum of more than $800 million. However, the Russian daily claimed that the delegation had cut short its visit amid a growing international controversy surrounding Iran's nuclear program.
....
http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1065656.html

Russia to Deliver S-300 Missile System to Iran - 26 December 2007

Iran signed a contract with Russia Tuesday night on the purchase of an advanced missile system called S-300, Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said here on Wednesday.
....
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8610050354

Iran set to acquire S-300PTs from Belarus - 18 January, 2008

London, 18 January 2008 – Iran is sourcing S-300 air-defence systems from Belarus, Jane’s International Defence Review reports.Iranian operators that have already been trained will undergo instruction to provide support domestically

Jane's has learned that Tehran is in the final stage of negotiations with Belarus for the acquisition of two surplus trailer-mounted towed S-300PT systems, which until recently were deployed near Minsk as part of Belarus's operational air-defence configuration. They include command-guided Fakel 5V55K missiles (with a range of 47 km) and the baseline 5V55R semi-active radar and Track Via Missile (TVM) guided missile (range 75 km).

Belarus is reportedly asking for USD140 million for both systems, a high price seeing that the S-300PT entered Soviet service as far back as 1978. If Iran pays this inflated sum this would reflect on Tehran’s awareness of an urgent requirement for such systems and its difficulty to fast-track their acquisition from other sources.

Belarus has already embarked on a sustained programme to train Iranian crew members. According to the contract now being finalised, Belarus will also provide training for Iranian engineers for "system maintenance, functionality checks and minor maintenance repairs" to support the systems in Iran.
....
http://www.ihs.com/News/Press-Releases/2008/IranBelarus.htm

Israel: Iran to get new Russian air defences by '09 - 23 July 2008

Iran is set to receive an advanced Russian-made anti-aircraft system by year-end that could help fend off any preemptive strikes against its nuclear facilities, senior Israeli defence sources said.
...
First delivery of the S-300 missile batteries was expected as soon as early September, one source said, though it could take six to 12 months for them to be deployed and operable...

http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSL21512727

Croatia Suspected of Selling S-300 Antiaircraft Missiles to Iran - Sep. 10, 2008

Croatia sold to Iran a few S-300 antiaircraft missile complexes of Soviet make, which it retained after the collapse of Yugoslavia, The Jerusalem Post reported with reference to Necenzurirano, the Internet edition of Croatia.
According to Necenzurirano, the vessels of Libyan Navy will deliver S-300s to Iran, and those ships have reached Croatia’s Kraljevica port already.

http://www.kommersant.com/p-13187/Iran_Croatia_/

Olmert unlikely to persuade Russia not to arm Iran, Syria - 7 October, 2008

...
During his flight to Moscow Monday, Olmert was asked whether he could influence Russia's policy on arms sales and replied, "I don't want to boast." But his chances of dissuading Medvedev from selling arms to Iran and Syria are widely considered small.
...
Russian sources told Haaretz there would be no change in Russia's position. They said Russia would not provide any Middle Eastern country with offensive weapons that could disrupt the region's stability, but would consider any request for defensive weapons.
....
http://www.****.***/hasen/spages/1027041.html

Libya Said To Transfer S-300 To Iran - 28 October, 2008

Libya was said to have transferred a long-range
Russian-origin air defense system to Iran.
A Croatian magazine said the Libyan Navy transported several S-300 air
defense batteries from the former Yugoslav republic to Iran. The magazine,
Necenzurirano, said Libyan warships docked in the Croatian port city of
Kraljevica to transfer the S-300 to Iran.
....

http://www.menewsline.com/article-1150,1835-Libya-Said-To-Transfer-S--To-I.aspx

Russia starts S-300 missile supplies to Iran - Iranian MP - 21/12/2008

Russia has started the supplies of components for S-300 air defense systems to Iran, a senior Iranian lawmaker said on Sunday.
...
Esmaeil Kosari, deputy chairman of the parliamentary commission on national security and foreign policy told the Iranian news agency IRNA that Iran and Russia had held negotiations for several years on the purchase of S-300 air defense systems and had finalized a deal.
Kosari said the Islamic Republic would deploy S-300 surface-to-air missile systems to strengthen national defense on border areas.
....
http://en.rian.ru/world/20081221/119041152.html

Russian S-300s 'hit the road to Iran' - 21 December, 2008
...
Later on Wednesday, Russia announced that it is fulfilling the controversial deal and would deliver the anti-aircraft system to Iran.

"Moscow has earlier met its obligations on supplying Tor-M1 systems to Iran and is currently implementing a contract to deliver S-300 systems," RIA Novosti quoted an unnamed Russian source as saying.
...
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=79100&sectionid=351020101

Kermanshahi · « **Reply #18 on:** December 28, 2009, 01:12:15 PM »

But since then the news has been confirmed

Russia Confirms S-300 Contract With Iran - 18 March, 2009
Iranian State Media Says Deal May Be Conditional

A top Russian defense official today confirmed that a contract has existed for two years to supply the high-end S-300 surface to air defensive missile system to Iran, something which has long been rumored to be the case. Russian spokesmen would not discuss the revelation but were quick to point out that the missiles had yet to be delivered.
....
http://news.antiwar.com/2009/03/18/russia-confirms-s-300-contract-with-iran/

Russia confirms Iran missile contract - 18 March, 2009
...
Russian news agencies cited a top defense official Wednesday as confirming that a contract to sell powerful air-defense missiles to Iran was signed two years ago, but saying no such weapons have yet been delivered.
...
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2009-03-18-russia-iran-missiles_N.htm

Russia confirms arms contract with Iran, but refutes S-300 delivery rumors - 18 March, 2009

Russia has not yet shipped the S-300 air defense missile systems to Iran, although there is a contract for the delivery of the systems between the two countries.
...
http://www.mosnews.com/military/2009/03/18/s300/

Belarus fronts Russian Iskander-M surface missile sale to Iran, Syria - May 11, 2009

Moscow sources disclose that the Russian, Iranian and Damascus governments have cooked up a scheme to get around Vladimir Putin's undertaking as president to refrain from selling Iran and Syria advanced Iskander-M cruise missiles: The transaction will go through Belarus.

Sources in Moscow and Minsk confirmed Sunday, May 3, that the Iskander-M sale to Tehran has gone through and negotiations are ongoing for Iran and Syria for another transaction: the sale of Russia's advanced S-300 anti-air anti-missile multi-targeting shield systems as well.

Western military sources have reported in the past that Israel cannot afford to allow this high-performance hardware enter operational service in Iran and Syria, because it would dangerously destabilizing the Middle East arms balance. Nonetheless, confirmation of the sale has come from the horse's mouth: Thursday, April 30, Belarus president Alexander Lukashenko stated: "I would like to implement top-level agreements with the government of Tehran. We will sacredly fulfill our agreements with Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and expect more activity in projects earmarked for joint implementation."
....
http://debka.com/headline.php?hid=6055

S-300 missile deliveries to Iran under review — Russian official - 12 November 2009

Russia is still considering the possible deliveries of advance air defense systems to Iran and will not freeze the contract as a concession to the United States, a government official said.

Russia signed a contract with Iran on the supply of S-300 air defense systems to the Islamic Republic in December 2005. However, there have been no official reports about the start of the contract's implementation since then.

"The issue of S-300 deliveries [to Iran] is still under discussion. There are some technical and other problems," said Konstantin Biryulin, deputy director of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation.
....
"I do not understand why there is so much media frenzy over the deliveries of S-300 to this region...Russia has the right to decide on its own whether to deliver these systems to any country which is not under the UN Security Council's sanctions," Biryulin said.
....
Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi urged Russia on Wednesday to fulfill its contract on the supply of S-300 air defense systems to Iran.

http://www.news.az/articles/2239

Kermanshahi · « **Reply #19 on:** December 28, 2009, 01:13:21 PM »

Russia: No reason to cancel S-300 deal with Iran

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexei Borodavkin says Moscow sees no reason to cancel a deal to provide Iran with the advanced S-300 missile defense system.

In a news conference in Moscow held on Wednesday Borodavkin stressed that the missile system is of a defensive nature.

"Exports of such weapons is subject to no UN treaty or other bilateral agreements," RIA Novosti quoted the Russian diplomat as saying.

"This is why we see no essential reason to make any change in the deal," he added.

The comments by Borodavkin come as the US and Israel are putting pressure on Russia to cancel the deal with Iran.

The S-300 system, which can track targets and fire at aircraft 120 km (75 miles) away, is able to simultaneously engage up to 100 targets.

http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=114515&sectionid=351020101

Pegor · « **Reply #20 on:** December 28, 2009, 01:20:56 PM »

Well the thing with Russia is that they don't trust their allies.
Thats why they sell/or give these allies older weapons.
ex:Russia sold Iran S-200 but they are hesitating about the S-300 because the Russians think if Iran flipped(which is unlikely) the Russians will have an edge over the Iranians in a fight.

That is what they did with the arabs(currently traitors) during the Arab/israeli conflict.

Pasdar · « **Reply #21 on:** December 28, 2009, 01:39:35 PM »

It doesn't have to do with trusting 'their allies'. It has to do with Russia being under firm control of a group of zionists that hold other interests of course. Other than that the west can excert a lot of pressure on them. They're a weak folk. There is a video about this weakness somewhere on this forum, with Russian military men talking about it. They're actually quite annoyed by it.

Gottfrid · « **Reply #22 on:** December 28, 2009, 02:19:55 PM »

Mostly for the reason stated above.

I think their military industries would look positively at nations trying to buy their arms, given how slow Russia has been in modernizing their military with their own latest weapons.

shiaben · « **Reply #23 on:** December 30, 2009, 10:10:09 PM »

Hasn't Iran already ordered the S-300 missile defense system?? If Iran has ordered this system, and Russia refuses to ship it off. Is there anything Iran can do??

Kermanshahi · « **Reply #24 on:** January 28, 2010, 12:54:56 PM »

Russia maintains stance on Iran arms deal

Russian arms-export giant Rosoboronexport said Thursday it would not drop its arms deal to sell the sophisticated S-300 anti-aircraft system to Iran.

"I just don't quite understand why supplies of the S-300 system to Iran trouble you so much," the head of Rosoboronexport, Anatoly Isaikin, told reporters at a news conference on Thursday.

Iran struck a deal with Russia in 2007 to obtain the sophisticated defense system to improve its deterrence power.

According to western experts, the system would shield Iranian nuclear sites against military threats, amid ongoing Israeli warnings to launch military attacks against Iran.

The S-300 system, which can track targets and fire at aircraft 120 km (75 miles) away, features high jamming immunity and is able to simultaneously engage up to 100 targets.

The West has pressured Russia to drop the deal. However, Moscow says it sees no reason to do so.

"From my part, I just want to say I have nothing to add to these statements," Isaikin said.

http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=117274&sectionid=351020602