In order to strengthen its presence in the Mediterranean, Russian authorities announced that renovation work is underway at the Syrian port Tartus in preparation for the Russian fleet that intends to deploy there permanently The announcement is not only proof of the growing ties between Moscow and Damascus, but also shows how keen Russia is to become more involved in the Middle East region, and ensure that a permanent Russian military presence remains in the area.
In May this year Infolive.tv reported on Russia’s plans to strengthen its military presence in the region, at the time a Russian commander discussing plans to become a permanent presence in the Mediterranean, was quoted saying that Russia intends to conduct tactical exercises with real and simulated launches of sea and air based missiles and intends to call at a number of different ports in the region.
According to reports, on Friday the naval chiefs of both countries met in Moscow to discuss ways of enhancing cooperation and strengthening “mutual trust and mutual understanding between the two fleets.”I
n August Syrian President Bashar Assad conducted a two day visit to Moscow to secure the purchase of advance weapon systems including the S300 long range anti aircraft missile system.Earlier this year a delegation of Syrian military officials met with Russian defense officials in Moscow to discuss bilateral military and technical cooperation. During the visit members of the Syrian Air Force toured several defense industry plants and later agreed to purchase the latest Russian MiG-29SMT fighter jet. During the trip Syria also purchased 36 Pantsir SiE aur defense systems and organized the delivery of Strelets short range defense systems. At the time former Israeli Air Force chief Maj. Gen. Eliezer Shkedy said Syria received some SA-22 missiles from Russia .
Whether such a large Russian presence at the Syrian port will hamper Israeli naval operations or intelligence gathering missions remains to be seen.09/13/08
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