Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said Thursday in Washington that Russia would honor a 2007 contract to supply Syria with P-800 Yakhont anti-ship cruise missiles, Russian news agencies reported Friday. The RIA-Novosti agency reports that the missiles (known as P-800 Oniks in Russia) have a range of 300 kilometers, carry a 200-kilogram warhead and feature a unique ability to cruise several meters above the surface, making it difficult to detect and intercept them.
Serdyukov told Russian reporters that the issue was raised in talks with U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates during a visit to the Pentagon aimed at revamping military ties. He said, "The US and Israel ask us not to supply Syria with Yakhont. But we do not see the concerns expressed by them that these arms will fall into the hands of terrorists." Serdyukov explained that Russia always stipulates strict terms when it comes to weapon supplies.