Russia and Iran have signed a contract for Moscow to supply Tehran with S-300 surface-to-air missile systems, Sergei Chemezov, the chief executive of Russian state-owned defense conglomerate Rostec, was quoted by the RIA news agency as saying on Monday.
“S-300, the air defense system, the contract has already been signed,” Chemezov was quoted as saying at the Dubai Airshow.
Earlier this month it was reported that Russian state-owned arms company Rosoboronexport said it was preparing a contract to supply Iran with the missile systems. The technology will significantly upgrade Iran’s anti-aircraft and anti-ballistic missile capabilities.
Russia and its state media have made numerous statements regarding the sale or delay of the delivery of the S-300 system over the years. The often contradicting reports appear to be a propaganda operation that changes according to the country’s political interests.
Russian state arms producer Almaz-Antey in June said it would supply Iran with a modernized version of the S-300, among the world’s most capable air defense systems, once a commercial agreement was reached.
In 2010, under Western pressure, Russia suspended a 2007 agreement to sell five S-300 batteries to Iran under a contract then reported to be worth some $800 million.
