IRAN’S DEFENSE MINISTER TO VISIT MOSCOW TO STRENGTHEN MILITARY TIES

PanARMENIAN.Net
16.02.2009 13:52 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Iran’s Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar
is reported to visit Russia to strengthen military and technical
cooperation between the two countries.

The Minister is also expected to negotiate a deal with Russia and
attend some defense facilities.

"The main purpose of the visit is to cement cooperation and promote
implementation of agreements in the military and technical sector,"
said a statement issued by the Iranian Defense Ministry.

The visit gave rise to speculations about a possible delivery of
Russian S-300 system to Iran. The perspective troubles U.S. and Israeli
leaders, who believe S-300 will strengthen Iran’s anti aircraft system.

Although Russia officially denies rumors on S-300 transfer, it has
already sold 29 Тоr-1Ð~ air defense systems to Iran to the amount
of $ 0.5 billion.

Tor-M1 is a short range, mobile air defense system intended for
engagement of fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, UAVs, and cruise
missiles flying between medium and very low altitudes even in severe
countermeasures environments. It comprises radar system, command and
control interface, and eight 9M331 missiles as well as associated
equipment. The entire Tor-M1 Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system is
mounted on a single tracked armored vehicle.

The Tor-M1 fully automated system is able to perform air surveillance
and missile firing, against two targets simultaneously, on the move.