An S-400 air defence missile system is deployed for a combat duty at the Hmeymim airbase to provide security of the Russian air group’s flights in Syria. © Dmitriy Vinogradov / Sputnik
On September 28, Syria’s Foreign Minister Walid Muallem confirmed that the Syrian Arab Air Defense Forces (SyAADF) will receive S-300 long-range air defense systems in the near future and revealed that Damascus is looking to acquire the more advanced S-400 Triumf, according to the Russian news agency Sputnik.
“According to [Russian] Defense Minister [Sergei] Shoigu, we will receive them [S-300 systems] within two weeks,” Muallem told reporters after a meeting with his Russian counterpart on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. “we are also hoping to acquire the S-400,” he added.
Earlier this week, Russia announced that it will supply S-300 systems to the SyAADF in response to the Il-20 incident triggered by Israeli actions according to Moscow.
Russian sources say hat two to four sets of the S-300 systems will be supplied to Syria as for now.
The S-400 is a newer and much more advanced than the S-300. The system can hit targets in the range of 400km and has additional anti-ballistic missile capabilities. Currently, Russia is supplying the S-400 to China, Turkey and possibly [the deal has not been signed officially] to India.
