×

Our award-winning reporting has moved

Context provides news and analysis on three of the world’s most critical issues:

climate change, the impact of technology on society, and inclusive economies.

Russia says to deliver anti-ship rockets to Syria

by (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Click For Restrictions. http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp | Thomson Reuters Foundation
Saturday, 26 February 2011 11:46 GMT

MOSCOW, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Russia will press ahead with plans to sell anti-ship cruise missiles to Syria despite Israeli concerns, Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov was quoted as saying on Saturday.

Russia planned on selling two surface-to-air rocket units armed with P-800, or Yakhont, missiles to Damasacus in a deal worth ${esc.dollar}300 million, Russian media previously reported.

"The contract is on its way to being realised," Interfax news agency quoted Serdyukov as telling reporters in Russia's Far East city of Vladivostok.

Israel has voiced concerns that the sale of the rockets, capable of hitting ships 300 km (190 miles) off Syria's coast, could end up in the hands of Lebanese guerrilla group Hezbollah.

Hezbollah used a surface to air missile in the 2006 Israel-Lebanon War to hit the INS Hanit warship, killing four sailors. Russia maintains a naval base in Syria. (Reporting by Thomas Grove; editing by Elizabeth Piper)

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

-->