No problems in supplies of S-300 systems to Iran - director

[Fighter488]

No problems in supplies of S-300 systems to Iran - director​

28.01.2010, 13.36




MOSCOW, January 28 (Itar-Tass) - The Rosoboronexport state-owned weapons trading company sees no problems in supplies of the S-300 air defense systems to Iran, the company's director general Anatoly Isaikin told reporters on Thursday.

"It is a weapon of defense, not attack," Isaikin said.

"They often ask this question of me - regarding supplies of S-300 systems to Iran. It was raised in 2009 as well. I would like to forward it to official bodies, for example by referring to repeated statements made by the Federal Service for Military Cooperation, and by the Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov.

"I have nothing to add to these statements," the Rosoboronexport director general said.

Russia has not supplied S-300 systems to Iran until now.

In March 2009, a spokesman for the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation confirmed to Itar-Tass that Russia had concluded a contract to supply S-300s to Iran.

"The S-300 air defense systems have not been supplied to Iran under the contract concluded two year ago, but the contract has been gradually executed since." the spokesman said.

Russia does not intend to repudiate the contract worth hundreds of million dollars. "Further execution of the contract will depend to a considerable extent on the development of the international situation and decisions by the country's leadership," he noted.

The medium-range S-300 system is regarded as one of the most effective means of defense of various facilities, military bases and control centers, against all kinds of missiles, including ballistic ones, and other means of aerospace attack. According to specialists, it surpasses by combat characteristics the analogous U.S. Patriot systems, which Washington deployed in a number of countries including Israel.

Isaikin also said Rosobonexport was in talks with Lybia over all fields of military cooperation.

"We had a pause because of the sanctions. Then we had normal friendly relations restored. We supplied equipment and repaired the armaments supplied earlier. At present, intensive talks are underway in all the fields of military-technical cooperation. But it's not worth while talking about results in advance," he said.

Speaking about military cooperation with Saudi Arabia, the Rosoboronexport chief said "this country is a new for us. Contacts are underway. Hopefully, we have good prospects."

In 2009, Rosoboronexport concluded contracts to supply military equipment worth 15 billion dollars.

"The sum of contracts concluded in 2009 made up some 15 billion dollars. Those where short-term deals and long-term contracts which will be executed within several years," Isaikin said.

Last year, Rosoboronexport sold 7.4 billion dollars of military equipment, up 10 percent from 2008.

At present, the company supplies armaments and military equipment to 70 countries.

"We offer new military equipment, technologies, joint production of elements and finished products. We expect the volume of supply to be no less than in 2009," the director general said.

Equipment made up some 50 percent in Rosoboronexport supplies in 2009, land troops equipment accounted for 19 percent, air defense equipment for 13.3 percent, naval equipment for 13.7 percent and other equipment for 4 percent.

The main importers of Russian weapons are India, Algeria, China, Venezuela, Malaysia and Syria.

Rosoboronexport believes that a decrease in the scope of military cooperation with China is natural.

"The decrease in the volume of military-technical cooperation with China is logical, because the defense sector of that country has been developing very successfully, and China does not buy much at present.

"This trend shows not only in China, but also in other countries. The emphasis is placed not just on procurements, but on joint development and joint production. China's share in Rosoboronexport's sales makes up less than 18 percent at present, and will continue to decrease. It's an objective process," Isaikin said.

China has been one of the largest buyers of Russian weapons in the past 15 years. It annually bought 2.7 billion dollars of Russian weaponry.

China has purchased 16 billion dollars of Russian arms since 2001.

China bought at least 200 Su-27 and Su-30 planes, several batteries of S-300 systems, surface ships, diesel submarines, artillery and armored equipment.

In 2009, Beijing concluded a contract with Moscow for the supply of more than 100 aircraft engines to be installed on China's G-10 planes.

More contracts to supply naval, air defense equipment and warplanes to China are in the works.

According to Isaikin, Afghanistan and Iraq have asked Russia to supply them armaments and military equipment.

"It's premature to say if we'll be supplying our military products to these countries. Everything will depend on the opportunities Russia might get on that market," he said.

He reminded that the supplies of military equipment to these countries are effected through the U.S. procurement committee. "It's up to the committee to decide what armaments and military equipment and from which country will be delivered to Afghanistan and Iraq. If the committee allocates money for supplies from Russia, these supplies will take place," Isaikin said.

ITAR-TASS

 

[Fighter488]

Russia free to sell weapons to Iran - state arms exporter

There is nothing to stop Russia from selling military equipment to Iran, the head of Russia's state-run arms exporter said on Thursday.

'Nothing prevents the continuation of military cooperation in those directions of interest to Russia and Iran," Rosoboronexport's Anatoly Isaikin told a RIA Novosti news conference.

"Iran has never violated a single commitment it has undertaken with regard to military contracts," he said.

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

Western powers are angered by Iran's failure to give a constructive response to proposals made by a group of international mediators on its controversial nuclear program. Washington and Tel Aviv have refused to rule out military action over the issue, and on Wednesday U.S. President Barack Obama warned the Islamic Republic's leaders that they would face "growing consequences" over their refusal to fulfill their "obligations".

Both the U.S. and Israel have expressed concern over the possibility of S-300 deliveries to Iran, which would significantly strengthen the country's air defenses.

Although Russia has traditionally had close ties to Iran, including in nuclear energy through the construction of the Bushehr power plant, it is seen as having moved closer to the U.S. position on imposing new sanctions.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned Iran on Wednesday that "it is impossible to wait forever" and that Russia's partners "are already talking about the need to discuss further steps at the UN Security Council."

MOSCOW, January 28 (RIA Novosti

Russia free to sell weapons to Iran - state arms exporter | Top Russian news and analysis online | 'RIA Novosti' newswire

 

[azfar]

"It is a weapon of defense, not attack," Isaikin said.

Hes right but dont he know this right (defense) only US has.

 

[Lankan Ranger]

ASIAN DEFENCE: Russia Free to Sell Weapons to Iran :Russia's State Arms Exporter

 

[no_name]

Russia would not want Iran to fall since this will open up her back yard.
This will also string Iraq and Afghanistan together.

 

[masijames]

the reason defence minister said there is No problems in supplies of S-300 systems to Iran because "the weapon is not ofenesive to any country it will be used for defensive purposes"