Russia, Iran Sign S-300 Missile Defence System Contract

Russia has signed contract to supply S-300 surface-to-air missile defense systems to Iran.

“S-300, the air defence system, the contract has already been signed,” Russian Rostec CEO was quoted as saying at the Dubai Air Show by Ria Novosti Monday.

Chemezov said Gulf countries had no reason to feel threatened by the deal. “This is defence equipment. And we are ready to offer this defence equipment to any country,” Chemezov was quoted as saying by Reuters later.

“So if the Gulf countries are not going to attack Iran, why should they be threatened? As this is defence equipment.”

He added: “Five years ago, even now, up to now ... And we said that the S-300 is not capable to attack or to reach the neighboring countries”.

Russia had last month stated that they were upgrading the S-300 missile before delivering it to Iran.

"The Russian-built S-300 air defense system will be modernized before being delivered to Iran, given the fact that the original contract was struck a long time ago," said Vladimir Kozhin, President Vladimir Putin’s aide on military and technical cooperation in the last week of October.

Yan Novikov, the chief executive of Russian Almaz-Antey, confirmed the removal of all restrictions on S-300 deliveries to Tehran. "All restrictions have been lifted by the political authorities. When there is a contract, we will supply the system, including to Iran," Novikov said in September.