Putin, Medvedev offer Syria expanded options for weapons systems

MOSCOW -- Russia has approved an expanded series of major military systems for export to Syria.

Officials said Russian President Dmitri Medvedev has approved the sale of rockets, missiles, aircraft and air defense systems to Syria. They said Medvedev, in consultation with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, decided to enable Damascus to select from a range of Russian weapons and systems.

"We are ready to consider requests from the Syrian side on buying more arms," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said. "We are indeed prepared to sell only defensive weapons which are not breaking the regional balance of powers."

Officials said Medvedev and Putin discussed the sale of Russian weapons with Syrian President Bashar Assad. They said Syria has discussed the purchase of the S 300PMU-1, Pantsyr-S1 and TOR-M1 air defense systems. They said Assad also sought combat aircraft, including the Su-30 fighter-jet.

"Damascus is Moscow's long-standing partner in military cooperation, and we are expecting to reach an agreement in principle on new weapons deals," a Russian diplomatic source told the Interfax news agency.

Assad, who ended a two-day visit on Aug. 21, has also pledged to consider a Russian request to station the Iskander-E long-range, solid-fuel rocket in Syria. Moscow has asserted that the Iskankder could penetrate Israeli or U.S. missile defense systems.

You know until the mid-late 60's the USA held a weapons embargo against Israel. When the USSR totally upset the balance, we lifted that embargo. If the Russians are going to add in large quantities of the modern SU-30, and the brand new Iskander, what do we all imagine the final response is going to be?

"In principle, yes," Assad said. "We have not thought of it yet. No such proposal has been received. In any case, all similar projects must be first studied by military experts. And when everything is decided, we will make an open and public announcement."

On Aug. 21, Syria, amid sharp Arab criticism, withdrew from any commitment to deploy Iskander. A Syrian official said Assad did not discuss Iskander during his meeting with Medevdev.

Officials said a key question would be Syria's ability to pay for weapons systems. They said Iran was expected to help finance any Russian-Syrian arms deal.

"Of course military and technical cooperation is the main issue," Assad said. "Weapons purchases are very important. I think we should speed it up."