Russia defends sale of missiles to Iran

[TexasLawyer]

Russia defends sale of missiles to Iran
Wednesday Nov 1 18:58 AEDT

AP - The Russian defence minister defended Moscow's deal to supply air defence missiles to Iran, saying they were purely defensive weapons with a limited range.

"I wish to underline that these systems cannot be used in offensive operations," Sergei Ivanov told Russia Today television. "Secondly, they have a limited use as they are capable of protecting a small part of the Iranian territory."

Moscow has refused to bow to Western pressure and cancel its $US700 million ($A905.5 million) contract to sell 29 Tor-M1 air defence missile systems to Iran which was signed last December.

A Russian Defence Ministry official said Moscow would fulfill the contract unless international sanctions against Iran made it illegal.

<snip>

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=157728

[whistle]

1. Will this prompt a missile showdown with Iran like the 1963 missile

...showdown with Cuba?

[Tempest]

3. Not quite

Unlike Kennedy, Bush will blink first.

[jpak]

4. Some background info on the Tor-M1 system

http://www.defense-update.com/products/t/tor.htm

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/missile/row/sa-15.htm

It will probably be used to defend Iranian nuclear sites against US cruise missiles...

[RaleighNCDUer]

2. Roh-row.

I guess we better get on the stick and bomb Iran before they get these air-defense missles. When's delivery supposed to be?

[formercia]

5. Dangerous system

http://www.defense-update.com/products/t/tor.htm

Tor M1 9M330 Air Defense System
(Russia)

Tor M1 air defense short range missile systemThe TOR-M1 surface-to-air missile system is a mobile, integrated air defense system, designed for operation at medium-, low- and very low –altitudes, against fixed/rotary wing aircraft, UAVs, guided missiles and precision weapon. The system is capable of operating in an intensive aerial jamming environment. The system is comprised of a number of missile Transporter Launcher Vehicle (TLV). A Russian air defense Tor battalion consists of 3 - 5 companies, each equipped with four TLVs. Each TLV is equipped with 8 ready to launch missiles, associating radars, fire control systems and a battery command post. The combat vehicle can operate autonomously, firing from stationary positions or on the move. Set-up time is rated at 3 minutes and typical reaction time, from target detection to missile launch is 5-8 seconds. Reaction time could range from 3.4 seconds for stationary positions to 10 seconds while on the move. Each fire unit can engage and launch missiles against two separate targets.

Tor M1 missile launched from the vertical container/launcher. The missile uses cold launch to exit and clear the launcher, and the rocket motor and thrusters are ignited at an altitude of 20 meters.

[teryang]

6. Why object to purely defensive systems?

Unless you plan to attack.

[Anakin Skywalker]

7. It's Capitalism! Praise It, Rethugs! It's What You Worship.