Chief of the Syrian General Staff General de corps Ali Habib was received yesterday by Russian Chief of the General Staff Yury Baluevsky in Moscow. Although the meeting went on behind closed doors, Kommersant was able to discover certain details from it. In particular, that Habib delivered two lists, one of military equipment that needs repairs and modernization, and the other of new-model weapons that Damascus is inquiring about.
This is the first visit by Gen. Habib since two significant events in relations between Moscow and Damascus. At the beginning of this year, Israel expressed its concern over Russian deliveries of Iskander-E missile complexes to Syria. Russian President blocked the deal. Moscow at the same time announced the forgiveness of more than 70 percent of Syria's debt to Russia for previous weapons shipments (more than $10 billion). That enabled Syria to make orders for more Russian weapons, which, under the new rules, were to be paid for in hard currency immediately.
Yesterday morning, the Russian and Syrian chiefs of staff met behind closed doors. Nonetheless, Kommersant learned the details of the meeting. Habib asked that the number of Syrian military receiving training at Russian military institutes and academies be increased and he gave Baluevsky two lists. The first was a list of military equipment in the Syrian armed forces that needs repair and modernization. According to information received by Kommersant, Syria is interested in the repair and modernization of its armored vehicles (1000 T-72 tanks, 500 BDRM-2 amphibious reconnaissance vehicles, 2000 BPM-1 and BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles) and aircraft (20 Su-24 strike bombers, 20 MiG-29 fighter jets and 100 Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters). The second list was an inquiry for delivery of new models of weapons. Kommersant has learned that that list includes mass-produced Russian Tunguska-M antiaircraft missiles, Kornet and Metis antitank missiles and Krasnopol guided artillery projectiles.
After that meeting, Habib traveled to Tula, where he visited the instrument design bureau where the weapons Syria is requesting are developed. By that time, Baluevsky had already met with Israel's National Security Advisor Giora Eiland. Habib was shown the weapons his country is interested in and, in addition, Pantser-S1 antiaircraft missiles on order from the United Arab Emirates and the new Germes (Hermes) guided missile system.
Kommersant has learned that, by the end of Habib's visit to Russia on Thursday, Russian specialists are to have an invoice for the weapons on the two lists ready for him. Analysts say that the sum involved will exceed $1 billion.
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Russian Arms in Syria
At present, the equipment in the Syrian Armed Forces is between 80 percent and 100 percent Russia (Soviet) made, depending on the division. All of its 4600 tanks, including 1500 of the most up-to-date T-72s, were made in Russia (USSR). Besides them, Moscow has provided Damascus with more than 2000 BPM-1 and BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles and almost 1000 BDRM-1 and BDRM-2 amphibious reconnaissance vehicles. Damascus has almost 500 multiple launch rocket systems, mainly Grad BM-21s, and 36 P-300 short-range attack missiles (Scud missiles), 18 Luna-M tactical missiles and 18 Tochka tactical missiles. It air fleet consists of 90 Su-22 bombers, 20 Su-24 bombers, 200 MiG-21 fighter jets, 40 MiG-25 interceptors, 20 MiG-29 fighter jets and more than 100 Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters.
