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Monday, September 20, 2010     INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING

Russia OKs advanced cruise missile sale to Syria over U.S., Israel objections

MOSCOW — Russia has reaffirmed plans to sell an advanced cruise missile to Syria over the objections of the United States and Israel.

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The Kremlin said it would proceed with plans to deliver the P-800 Yakhont supersonic anti-ship cruise missile to Syria. Officials said the issue was discussed with the United States, which has opposed the sale.

"Undoubtedly, it will be fulfilled by the Russian side," Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said.

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In a briefing in Washington on Sept. 17, Serdyukov said Moscow signed a contract in 2007 to supply the P-800 to Syria, Middle East Newsline reported. He said a less advanced variant has already been delivered to the regime of President Bashar Assad.

"The issue of selling the missiles to Syria was raised during the talks with U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates," Serdyukov said.

The assertion by Serdyukov was the second time in September that the Kremlin reaffirmed its commitment to sell Yakhont to Damascus. Earlier, Sergei Prikhodo, an adviser to President Dmitry Medvedev, said Russia would not be pressured into canceling the project.

"The United States and Israel have asked us not to supply Syria with Yakhont," Serdyukov said. "But we do not see the concerns expressed by them that these weapons will fall into the hands of terrorists."

The P-800 has been regarded as one of the most advanced anti-ship missiles in the world. Yakhont, with a 200-kilogram warhead, was said to have a range of 300 kilometers and the capability to strike land targets. Officials said the missile, able to fly meters above the water, could evade most radar detection.

In his briefing, Serdyukov dismissed Israeli arguments that Yakhont could be transferred by Syria to the Iranian-sponsored Hizbullah. The Kremlin has acknowledged that its anti-tank weapons were relayed to Hizbullah for use during the 2006 war against Israel.

"A similar system was previously supplied to Syria," Serdyukov said. "Yakhont is simply more modern. And if that system did not get into the hands of terrorists, then why should this one?"



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