Russia may sell S-300 missiles to Venezuela, instead of Iran

[Water Car Engineer]

Russia's S-300 air defense systems, which Moscow refused to deliver to Iran following a new round of UN sanctions against the Islamic Republic, could be sold to Venezuela instead, a Russian arms trade expert said on Friday.

Russia signed a deal to deliver five battalions of S-300PMU-1 air defense systems to Iran in 2007 but banned the sale in September, saying the systems, along with a number of other weapons, were covered by the fourth round of sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council against Iran over its nuclear program in June.

"Russia is looking for a buyer of five battalions of S-300PMU-1 air defense systems ordered by Iran, which are worth $800 million, and Venezuela could become such a buyer," said Igor Korotchenko, head of a Moscow-based think tank on the international arms trade.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who is currently on a visit to Russia, earlier said his country was interested in buying different types of Russian-made air defense systems to create a multilayered air defense network.

Venezuela has already purchased 12 Tor-M1 air defense systems, a number of ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft guns and Igla-S portable short-range air defense systems from Russia.

The S-300PMU-1 (SA-20 Gargoyle) is an extended range version of S-300PMU with a limited anti-ballistic missile capability.

Korotchenko said that if the S-300 deal with Venezuela goes through, Caracas should pay cash for the missiles, rather than take another loan from Russia.

"The S-300 is a very good product and Venezuela should pay the full amount in cash, as the country's budget has enough funds to cover the deal," Korotchenko said.

Moscow has already provided Caracas with several loans to buy Russian-made weaponry, including a recent $2.2-mln loan on the purchase of 92 T-72M1M tanks, the Smerch multiple-launch rocket systems and other military equipment.

Russia may sell S-300 missiles to Venezuela, instead of Iran - analyst | Defense | RIA Novosti

 

[siegecrossbow]

This is beginning to sound like the punchline to a bad joke:

Russia was planning on selling the S-300 to Iran. The decision was met with great opposition by Israel and the U.S.

"Fine, fine," said Russia at last. "I am not going to sell them to Iran..."

America was happy until Russia finished the sentence.

"... I am going to sell them to Venezuela instead."

 

[Vassnti]

What are the odds that Venezuela sells them to Iran a week after they arrive?

 

[Chinese-Dragon]

What are the odds that Venezuela sells them to Iran a week after they arrive?

I don't know... how are the relations between Venezuela and Iran nowadays?

 

[siegecrossbow]

I don't know... how are the relations between Venezuela and Iran nowadays?

There is one thing in common between Hugo Chavez and the Republicans:

If Comrade Obama supports it, I oppose it.



Hugo Chavez will do his best to tighten relations with Iran but reselling S-300 is simply ludicrous. I don't think the Veneuzulans will risk upsetting both the Americans and Russians at the same time.

 

[ViXuyen]

The only problem I see with this transaction is that this is the S-300PMU1. Customers around the world are waiting to get their hands on the S-400, would anyone still want to buy the pmu1 version?

 

[ultimateracer267]

they have to take care of their buisness too, afterall.