Russian missiles could tip the power balance in favor of Syria

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/526545.html

If the Russian Iskander E missile is cheap enough, Syria could acquire more of the missiles than Israel has of the much more expensive Arrows, thus tipping the balance of power between the two countries, says Uzi Rubin, a former head of the Homa missile defense project in the Defense Ministry. snip

It is presumed capable of carrying a non-conventional warhead, weighs 3,800 kilograms and can carry up to 480 kilograms in a payload. It travels at 1,500 meters a second and is transported and launched from a vehicle that can carry two of the missiles.

The U.S. and Israel are accusing Russia of violating the international non-proliferation of missiles treaty if it goes ahead with the Iskander E sales to Syria, even though the treaty bans the international sale of missiles with ranges of more than 300 kilometers (20 kilometers more than the Iskander) and capable of carrying more than 500 kilograms as a payload (20 kilograms more than the Iskander).

Israel and the U.S. believe Russia deliberately developed the missile to circumvent the restrictions imposed by the international treaty, and specifically to sell to Syria and Iran.

more