S-300 PMU (missile)
S-300 PMU is the starting designation of a series of highly respected, Soviet-designed surface-to-air missiles, the land version of which is designated SA-10 GRUMBLE in the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)/North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) system. The ship-based version, mounted on the Kirov-class and Slava-class, is SA-N-6 GRUMBLE. Later versions have anti-ballistic missile against theater ballistic missiles and also against cruise missiles. [1]
It is comparable to the U.S. MIM-104 Patriot in a land-based version and the RIM-156 Standard SM-2 at sea, although the Russians argue it is superior to Patriot. While surface-to-air missiles are defensive, missiles of this quality affect the strategic balance: if Iran, for example, puts a significant S-300 system around its nuclear facilities, the Israeli Air Force may not have sufficient suppression of enemy air defense capability to penetrate it. [2] There are conflicting reports, however, if Russia has actually shipped them to Iraq. [3]
References
- ↑ S-300, Deagel.com
- ↑ Christian Caryl (2 October 2009), "The Other Ticking Clock in Iran: Forget about Iran's nukes for the moment. The real crisis is its drive for advanced surface-to-air missiles.", Foreign Policy (magazine)
- ↑ Gregory L. White (28 September 2009), "Medvedev Leaves Wiggle Room on Sanctions: Russia's Firmer Talk May Not Translate Into Action on Iran", Wall Street Journal