Iranian Defense Minister Homaddad Najjar revealed Wednesday that Russia will supply Iran with yet more military equipment, this time with new S-300 air defense systems which are capable of intercepting ballistic missile warheads at a range of over 90 miles. Unidentified sources in the Russian military-industrial complex estimate the delivery at several dozen.
Earlier this year, Russia delivered 29 Tor-M1 air defense missile systems to Iran as part of a $700 million contract signed in December of 2005. The S-300 is much more powerful and versatile than the Tor-M1, capable of flying 4 and a half times higher. Russian military officials claim the S-300 is more advanced than the US Patriot missile.
Military experts note that the S-300 systems could inflict significant damage on any forces that would attack Iran.