January 28, 2005 :: Itar-Tass :: News
Itar-Tass provides an update on the scheduled deployment of the first Iskander-M ballistic missiles to the Russian army later this year, quoting First Deputy Defense Minister Colonel General Alexander Belousov. Itar-Tass also quotes head of the Russian Armed Forces’ Missile Troops and Artillery Colonel General Vladimir Zaritsky as specifying that that the first squad of Iskanders will be formed in the North Caucasian military district, and “Next year we will start re-equipment of missile brigades stationed in the Far East and the Siberian military district, in compliance with the armament program and the development concept.”
The Iskander short range ballistic missile has also been in the news for Russia’s reported plans to sell a version of the missile, the Iskander-E, to Syria, a state sponsor of terrorism. The Iskander has been characterized as a next-generation Scud, which the Soviet Union and Russia widely proliferated the world over, and as a replacement to the “SS-21 Tochka,” with much more advanced guidance and perhaps even the capabilities to avoid theatre ballistic missile defenses, such as the Patriot. (Article)
» More stories on: Russia
» Missile details: SS-26
