Russia supplies S 300 air defense missile systems to Syria.

Russia has supplied Syria with 49 equipment pieces as part of delivery of the S-300 air defense system (SA-10 Grumble in NATO code) meant to boost security of the Russian military in that country, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said. Obviously, there is a will to avoid any further friendly fire like the dramatic one that caused the accidental destruction of a Russian Ilyuchin Il-20 by the Syrian air defense on 17 September.

S-300 air defense system (SA-10 Grumble in NATO code) displayed at Army-2018 (Picture source: Army Recognition)

"In conformity with the presidential decision, we have begun to carry out a number of measures to reinforce Syria’s air defense systems in order to ensure better protection for our servicemen. We have completed the delivery of S-300 systems. It included 49 pieces of equipment, including radars, control vehicles and four launchers," he told a Russian Security Council meeting chaired by President Vladimir Putin.

The minister said Syrian operators will be trained to engage S-300 for three months. "We selected the necessary personnel and began the training," he said. The minister added that the single Syrian air defense will be operational by October 20.

The S-300 (NATO reporting name SA-10 Grumble) is a family of Russian long range surface-to-air missile systems produced by NPO Almaz, based on the initial S-300P version. The S-300 system was developed to defend against aircraft and cruise missiles for the Soviet Air Defence Forces. Subsequent variations were developed to intercept ballistic missiles. The S-300 system was first deployed by the Soviet Union in 1979, designed for the air defence of large industrial and administrative facilities, military bases and control of airspace against enemy strike aircraft.

The S-300 PMU2 is the latst variant in he S-30 family, able to engage targets flying from 10 m to 27 km above the surface at a speed of up to 10,000 km/h. It is claimed that it has a kill ratio ranging from 0.8 to 0.93 against aircraft and from 0.8 to 0.98 against Tomahawk-class cruise missiles. The S-300PMU2 can engage up to 6 targets simultaneously while providing guidance for up to 12 missiles - two missiles per target ensuring target kill.