Iran's Defense Minister to visit Moscow to strengthen military ties

PanARMENIAN.Net - Iran's Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar is reported to visit Russia to strengthen military and technical cooperation between the two countries.



The Minister is also expected to negotiate a deal with Russia and attend some defense facilities.



"The main purpose of the visit is to cement cooperation and promote implementation of agreements in the military and technical sector," said a statement issued by the Iranian Defense Ministry.



The visit gave rise to speculations about a possible delivery of Russian S-300 system to Iran. The perspective troubles U.S. and Israeli leaders, who believe S-300 will strengthen Iran's anti aircraft system.



Although Russia officially denies rumors on S-300 transfer, it has already sold 29 Тоr-1М air defense systems to Iran to the amount of $ 0.5 billion.



Tor-M1 is a short range, mobile air defense system intended for engagement of fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, UAVs, and cruise missiles flying between medium and very low altitudes even in severe countermeasures environments. It comprises radar system, command and control interface, and eight 9M331 missiles as well as associated equipment. The entire Tor-M1 Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system is mounted on a single tracked armored vehicle.



The Tor-M1 fully automated system is able to perform air surveillance and missile firing, against two targets simultaneously, on the move.