A first shipment of missiles of the S-300 missile system has recently been received by Iran, evidencing Tehran’s determination to equip its air defense circle with this system, reported Tasnim news agency, quoting Revolutionary Guards.
At the beginning of the month, Brigadier General Farzad Esmaili, commander of the Khatam al-Anbia Air Defense Base, said the system would be delivered and be fully operational before the end of the Iranian year which falls on March 20 2017. The missile system is being shipped in parts to Iran. The missile tubes and radar equipment were delivered a couple of months ago.
Israel is one of the main countries in the region concerned over the delivery of the S-300, which claims it threatens its security and weakens its regional aerial-security supremacy. Air Force commander Major general Amir Eshel last year stated that although the missile system poses a “significant” challenge, it is “not insurmountable.” Israel had tried to block the sale of the system to Iran.
Dubbed as of the most advanced missile system of its kind currently in the market as it is capable of long-range protection against warplanes and missiles, the S-300 will be a boost to Iran’s arsenal that it has been trying to improve over the years.
Israel as well as Gulf states will continue to monitor the situation as they remain cautious of Tehran’s ambitions.
