Dated Aug. 11, the report cited Russia's cancellation of the sale of the
S-300 air defense system to Iran and Syria. Fite said one factor in the
Kremlin's decision could have been the sale of Israeli unmanned aerial
vehicles to the Russian Army.
"The cancellation of the S-300 system for example, yielded Russia
several coveted Israeli UAVs," the report said. "While Russia's growing
trade with Israel has not halted Russia's supply of missile technology to
Syria, it did play a factor in the cancellation of the S-300 deal. Israel
has begun to sell Russia UAVs, a high priority technology for maintaining
pipeline security in Russia."
The report said Russia has sold a range of major weapons systems to Iran
over the last 20 years. The platforms were said to have included MiG-29
fighter-jets, T-72 main battle tanks, TOR-M1 air defense systems and
air-to-air missiles.
"In the past decade, Iran has purchased more than $5 billion in Russian
weaponry," the report said.
Still, Fite determined that the Kremlin's policy was based on cost and
benefit. He envisioned a lobby within the Russian leadership for an Israeli
alternative to Iran.
"Bilateral pressure will certainly not lead to a cessation of arms sales
to Iran, but it may have a strong dampening effect — decreasing the
quantity and quality of future deals," the report said.