Russia to supply Iran with air defence system

Russia is to supply Iran with new S-300 air defense systems, Iran’s defence minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said today.

The move is seen as a sign of growing military cooperation between Moscow and Tehran.

Speaking on Iranian state television, Mr Najjar said: “The S-300 air defense system will be delivered to Iran on the basis of a contract signed with Russia in the past.”

Mr Najjar did not say when or how many of the S-300 anti-aircraft missile defence systems would be sent to Iran.

Earlier this year, Russia delivered 29 Tor-M1 air defence missile systems to Iran under a €615m contract signed in December 2005.

The S-300 is capable of shooting down aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missile warheads as far away as 90 miles and as high as 90,000 feet.