Russian S-300 air defense system will not become a barrier to the actions of Israeli aviation in Syria. If necessary, multifunctional aircraft F-35I Adir, which are in service with the country's air force, will easily destroy these anti-aircraft missile systems. About this self-confidently reports in his material one of the authors of the publication "Drive". The promise of the Russian military to deliver the S-300 to Damascus has already caused a nervous reaction in Jerusalem and Washington, but Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said that, despite this, his country will not cease to destroy Iranian facilities in Syria.
Most military experts believe that the S-300 will not be able to close the sky of Syria from Israeli aircraft, but they will force it to act much more carefully and cautiously. It is not yet clear when the complex will be delivered, and how many of them will be sent to Syria. It is also unknown whether Assad has prepared calculations for this weapon or its maintenance will fall on the shoulders of Russian specialists. But in any case, the appearance of this complex in Syria will have not only military, but also political consequences.
S-300: why now?
The story of the supply of the S-300 to Syria did not start yesterday: Russia was planning to sell these air defense systems to Damascus at the beginning of this decade. But in 2013, negotiations were suspended, moreover, as Shoigu now declares, precisely at the request of the Israeli side.
After the outbreak of hostilities in Syria, Israel launched about 200 missile and bomb strikes across its territory - the main targets for them were Iranian military facilities and warehouses of Hezbollah troops. Despite Moscow’s many promises to “close the sky of Syria,” Israeli planes felt quite at ease in it, regularly and with impunity destroying their targets. But on September 17, during a regular raid, the Russian Il-20 electronic reconnaissance aircraft was shot down by mistake, which resulted in the death of 15 officers.
The S-300 SAM system was put into service at the end of the 70s and since then it has been modernized several times. There are three main modifications of this complex: S-300P, designed for the defense of cities and strategic objects, the military version of the S-300V and S-300F - naval version of the air defense system. You can also add that this air defense system is capable of intercepting not only enemy aircraft, but also its short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles. What kind of modification of the complex they plan to send to the Middle East is unknown.
Can the S-300 close the sky of Syria?
In recent years, Syria’s airspace has become a real “courtyard”: Israeli, Turkish, US and other anti-Assad coalition aircraft feel quite relaxed. Most of the experts surveyed believe that the delivery of several S-300 divisions is unlikely to drastically change the situation. Moreover, this complex was created to protect large industrial centers and strategic facilities, it is not very suitable for the defense of the squares.
For example, Mikhail Khodarenok, a former air defense officer, told reporters on the Air Force channel that a full-fledged air defense system, in addition to anti-aircraft missile systems, should include a modern control system, EW facilities, and effective aviation. To close the sky with the help of the SAM alone will not work, especially if their number is limited. In addition, Hodarenok believes that the passive tactic of dealing with enemy aircraft and cruise missiles is unlikely to lead to success. To get rid of the air threat, it is necessary to influence the enemy aircraft carriers and air bases. It is clear that the Syrian Air Force has no such capabilities.
The expert also believes that there will not be a serious aggravation with Israel, since Russia, first of all, does not need this.
You can add a few more points. After the crash of the IL-20, the professionalism of the Syrian anti-aircraft gunners raises certain doubts. Who will manage the sophisticated and modern S-300? Russian specialists? And what happens if the complexes get hit by an air strike? Have to start a war with Israel or NATO?
The S-300 has never been used in real combat conditions, all the stories about its "fabulous" effectiveness are based on the results of training firing and comparison of tactical and technical characteristics. The Israeli military is well aware of the capabilities of this air defense system; they have repeatedly conducted exercises with the countries to which Russia supplied the S-300 earlier. A lot of effort was given to the development of electronic warfare against it.
It is likely that Israel is no longer worried about the delivery of several C-300 divisions to Damascus, but to Russia's increasing withdrawal towards Iran. The situation in Syria is very complex: today in this country the interests of many players of both regional and global scale have crossed. For Israel, Iran’s plans to create a Shiite belt from sea to sea pose a serious threat, which it must confront. Over the past years, Russia has managed to maintain a kind of neutrality between Jerusalem and Tehran, but it is clear that every day it becomes more difficult to do so. Israel is more afraid that Russia will finally become an ally of the Ayatollah regime, which will greatly strengthen it.
