Russia Deploys S-300 System In Abkhazia

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Russia deploys Air Defence Missiles in Abkhazia

MOSCOW, Aug 11, 2010 (AFP) - Russia has deployed sophisticated air defence missiles in Georgia's pro-Moscow rebel region of Abkhazia, the air force commander said Wednesday, in a move that risks stoking tensions with Tbilisi.

"We have deployed the S-300 system on the territory of Abkhazia," air force commander-in-chief General Alexander Zelin said in a statement carried by Russian news agencies.

"Its role will be anti-aircraft defence of the territory of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, in cooperation with the air defence systems of the army," he said.

Georgia insists that Abkhazia and South Ossetia are an integral part of its territory but Russia in 2008 recognised the two regions as independent after its war with Tbilisi.

"The task of these air defence systems is not only to cover the territory of Abkhazia and South Ossetia but to avert violations of state borders in the air," he added.

They were also aimed at the "destruction of any flying object penetrating into the covered territories, whatever aim they were flying with," he added.

Tbilisi rapidly warned that Russia's deployment was of concern not only to Georgia but should also worry NATO. Georgia's ambition to join NATO has long flustered Russia.

"This should be of concern not only for Georgia but also for other regional actors, including NATO," Deputy Prime Minister and Reintegration Minister Temur Yakobashvili told AFP.

Russia at the weekend marked the second anniversary of the outbreak of the war with Georgia, with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev making a surprise visit to Abkhazia Sunday, his first trip since the conflict.

In an embarrassment for Moscow, only Venezuela, Nicaragua and the tiny Pacific island state of Nauru have followed its move to recognise the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

The S-300 is one of Russia's most prized missile assets and has been the subject of a long-running controversy over the fulfillment of a contract to deliver the weapons to Iran.

Russia signed a contract to sell the systems to Iran several years ago, but has failed to deliver the weapons amid pressure from the West which fears they would be used against any aerial attack on the Islamic republic.

The 2008 war saw Russian forces pour into Georgia after fighting broke out over South Ossetia, prompting the worst post-Cold War crisis between Russia and the West.

 

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MOSCOW, Aug 11, 2010 (AFP) - The S-300, which Russia said on Wednesday it was deploying in Georgia's pro-Moscow rebel region of Abkhazia, is a sophisticated and mobile air defence missile capable of destroying cruise missiles and fighter planes.

One of Russia's most prized missile assets, the S-300, known by NATO as SA-20 Gargoyles, can target aircraft and ballistic missiles at a range of 150 kilometres (93 miles) and at an altitude of up to 27 kilometres (16 miles).

The S-300 system was first designed for the air defense of large industrial and administrative facilities, military bases, and control of airspace against enemy strike aircraft.

First deployed by former Soviet Union or USSR in 1979, the S-300, nicknamed "the favorite" by Russians, is still seen as one of the most powerful anti-aircraft missiles on the market. It can simultaneously track up to 100 targets and engage 12.

Russia's air force commander, General Alexander Zelin, said Wednesday that Moscow had deployed S-300 missiles in Abkhazia to provide anti-aircraft defence for both Abkhazia and Georgia's other Moscow-backed rebel region, South Ossetia.

Georgia insists that Abkhazia and South Ossetia are an integral part of its territory but Russia in 2008 recognised the two regions as independent after a war with Tbilisi.

Tbilisi warned on Wednesday that Russia's deployment of the S-300 was of concern not only to Georgia but should also worry NATO. Georgia's ambition to join NATO has long flustered Russia.

The question of anti-missile defences has long poisoned relations between Washington and Moscow.

In September 2009 US President Barack Obama scrapped a project to install an anti-missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic. Washington has since reworked the scheme and signed a new treaty with Moscow on reducing strategic nuclear weapons, which has yet to be ratified.

In April 2010 Russia shipped China 15 advanced truck-mounted S-300 missile systems.

The system has also been the subject of a long-running controversy over the fulfillment of a contract to deliver the weapons to Iran.

Russia signed a contract to sell the systems to Iran several years ago, but has failed to deliver the weapons amid pressure from the West which fears they would be used against any aerial attack on the Islamic republic.

Apart from China, other countries such as Slovakia, Vietnam and Cyprus have already bought the S-300, of which there are several versions, including the S-300/SA-10 and S-300/SA-20.