Iran and Russia Sign $1 bln Defense Deal

by-Meg Clothier
12-2-05

Moscow (Reuters)--Russia plans to sell more than $1 billion worth of tactical surface-to-air missiles and other defense hardware to Iran, media reported on Friday.

The Vedomosti Bussiness Daily cited military sources as saying Iran would buy 29 TOR-M1 systems designed to bring down aircraft and guided missiles at low altitudes.

The paper, calling it the biggest sale of Russian defense hardware to Iran for about five years, said Moscow and Tehran had already signed the contract.

Interfax news agency separately quoted a source as saying the the deal, which would also include modernizing Iran's air force and supplying some patrol boats, was worth more than $1 billion.

Russia's Defense Ministry declined to comment on the deal. Official state arms exporter Rosoboronexport, Russia's state defense supplier, were not available for comment.

Russia is helping Iran build its first nuclear reactor and is preparing to launch it next year.

The defense industry source told Interfax there were no international restrictions on selling weapons to Iran.

"Moreover, practically all the weapons that Russia is delivering to Iran in the coming years are defensive rather than offensive in character," the source said.

Source:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051202/wl_nm/russia_iran_arms_dc