Reports: Iran to buy jets from Russia
Jerusalem Post
Israel is looking into reports that Russia plans to sell 250 advanced long-range Sukhoi-30 fighter jets to Iran in an unprecedented billion-dollar deal.
According to reports, in addition to the fighter jets, Teheran also plans to purchase a number of aerial fuel tankers that are compatible with the Sukhoi and capable of extending its range by thousands of kilometers. Defense officials said the Sukhoi sale would grant Iran long-range offensive capabilities.
Government officials voiced concern over the reports. They said Russia could be trying to compete with the United States, which announced over the weekend a billion-dollar arms sale to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states.
Despite Israeli and US opposition, Russia recently supplied Iran with advanced antiaircraft systems used to protect Teheran’s nuclear installations. At the time, Moscow said it reserved the right to sell Iran weapons, such as the antiaircraft system, that were of a defensive nature.
The Sukhoi-30 is a two-seat multi-role fighter jet and bomber capable of operating at significant distances from home base and in poor weather conditions. The aircraft enjoys a wide range of combat capabilities and is used for air patrol, air defense, ground attacks, enemy air defense suppression and air-to-air combat.
After years of negotiations, the Indian Air Force in 1996 purchased 40 Sukhoi-30s and in 2000 acquired the license from the company to manufacture an additional 140 aircraft.
Wild Thing’s comment………
An ugly scenario continues to build. Putin has picked a dictatorship to back.
Russian Vladimir Putin is still a cold blooded KGB type and when Bush welcomed him to his ranch a few weeks ago I vomitted! Putin + Stalin =
hate for the western civilizations. We have been $old out – bigtime!
Here goes the Cold War again!
Reagan, Pope John Paul 2nd and Gorbachev are turning over in their graves!
Putin in a Clinton buddy, not a Bush buddy.
Ever wonder why, after Putin’s trip here, a place in Siberia got the 2012 Winter Olympics?
It’s all politics and it’s all messy–just like a dirty diaper–constantly on our butts and constantly full of poo!!!!!1
It’ll be interesting to watch as Iran eventually uses these weapons against Russia.
I feel so much better that our Government officials are voiceing concern about this. Does the government ever not voice concern about something. That means they are at least aware of it?
The big question is, what are they going to do about it. Now that they are aware of it ?
It is obvious, even to me, that this is a dangerous scenario. Ahmaweeniejob has already said he wants to wipe Israel off the map,and that the halocaust hasn’t happened yet and probably move in on Iraq, they just baught the method to do just that.
So when does our government begin to see that maybe we have a real problem in that area of the world.
If push comes to shove, Israel will not tolerate this, seems that the Israeli’s are the only one’s in the whole world that have a pair. Our State department has been emasculated since Carter and hasn’t a clue what is going on, really, or what to do about it, except … be nice to them, they haven’t learned anything since 9-11 either.
I feel the same way as Mark does. This nation hasn’t learned a thing, 9-11-2001 is nothing but a mere memory in the minds of our people, especialy those of NYC where the tragedy happened. They think that this was just another criminal event, not the act of war it was. So what will the response be, the same roll over and kiss the enemy’s backside and lavish them with favored nation status. Pass that barf bag again!!!
This is not news, except to our State Dept. The Middle East is still the scene of a US – Russia arms race. Our weapons are decades ahead in superiority to Russia’s. Their planes do fancy aerobatics at air shows(and crash a lot), but in combat they fail.
Putin is still a Communist, and a bully. We should stop pretending that he is not. The only things he has going for him are lots of oil reserves, Mid-East unrest and the UN. Very good reasons for America to become energy independent.
Darth, I know Bush likes him but I always feel sick inside when I see them so comfortable together when Putin visits Bush or vice versa. I know he has to be with all these jerks but to like the person when they are a communist is well too much.
Lynn, well said and I agree.
Bob they will too, Iran will not be loyal to anyone even the people they get their weapons from.
Mark and Jack I agree,
What I don’t understand and it might be me. Our country is giving/selling to the enemy, our enemy and the enemy of Israel. And the only good part is we are also giving/selling to Israel. Something is wrong with this picture. Why deal with the enemy and not just keep it isolated to only dong business and helping Israel.
I realize the answer is probably diplomacy or some word like that. But in my little world I would never ever do such a thing.
Keep my enemies close yes, but I am not about to arm them.
Tom….”Putin is still a Communist, and a bully. We should stop pretending that he is not.”…..
Exactly.
Iran can get the planes, but they don’t have decent pilots or mechanics. They can put them up, but can they keep them up? What doesn’t eventually wear out and get cannibalized, Israel will knock out the sky.