Iran's Defense Minister to visit Moscow to strengthen military tiesFebruary 16, 2009 - 13:52 AMT 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. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Concept to complete Yerevan Cascade discussed at city hall A conceptual proposal to complete the Cascade complex in downtown Yerevan has been presented by Jean-Michel Wilmotte. Pashinyan visits flood-hit region Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Saturday, June 8 visited the disaster area in the Lori province. €3.5 mln EU grant to support justice reforms in Armenia The European Union has paid €3.5 mln grant to Armenia within a €11mln program on Support to Justice Reforms. Yerevan reacts to Baku’s proposal to see Minsk Group abolition Alen Simonyan has declared that Armenia is taking steps aimed at concluding a peace treaty with Azerbaijan. |