Russian S-300 Air Defence Systems and F-35 Fighter Jets could come face to face in Syria. After the downing of Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft, Moscow immediately delivered the S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems to the Syrian government.
Israel, on the other hand, has procured the fifth-generation American F-35 stealth fighter jets.
EurAsian Times analyses how S-300 competes against F-35 Fighter Jets in Syria?
- Why F-35 Fighter Jet Remains the Most Potent Aircraft Despite the Crash?
- US Pushing Germany To Buy F-35 Fighter Jets Over Eurofighter Typhoon
S-300 vs F-35: How Do They Compete?
The Russian Defense Ministry blamed the Israeli Air Force for downing Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft while the Israeli side categorically accused the Syrian military.
On the one hand, both Russia and Israel agree almost completely on one point i.e. the delivery of the S-300 greatly changes the situation in Syria. Although Tel Aviv also believes that S-300 may not be really effective against the strongest airforce of the Middle East.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF), according to the secondary research of EurAsian Times, insist on retaining a “freehand” during military operations in Syria. And with the supply of S-300 Air Defence Systems, IDF claims it will not have to make serious adjustments.
Whether this is true or not, it will become clear in the event of a new raid by Israeli aircraft against targets on Syrian territory that will require the use of the S-300. Until then, all the arguments of officials and military experts of the Jewish state are strictly theoretical, according to defense experts who conversed with EurAsian Times.
Recently, the F-35 Jets were tested in combat conditions, with strikes against government targets in Syria. The Israelis perceive the invulnerability of the stealth F-35 fighter jet against the Russian S-300.
However, according to Russian experts, such statements by Israel look like an element of propaganda since the F-35 and S-300 have never met in a real combat situation. Meanwhile, Syria also received upgraded and much-advanced S-300 systems from Russia.
Russian experts started S-300 and F-35 do not fight alone; they are part of the air defense systems and air forces of their countries and are controlled by people.
Accordingly, their effectiveness depends not only on their own tactical and technical characteristics but also on the preparation of people operation the sophisticated devices.
- India To Buy Russian Missiles that Shot-Down Malaysian Airlines Over Ukraine?
- Can Russia Scare the Israeli Air Force With the S-300 Anti Aircraft Missile?
“The S-300s delivered will seriously increase the Syrian air defence, but only in one region, since it was announced that only four SAM systems were being delivered. The Israeli air force is large enough and well equipped to withstand such protection. But the risk of losses, in this case, will be much higher, ”concluded experts.
The US, Israel Study S-300 Capabilities
“The S-300 was put into service back in 1978. During that time, the complexes became available only twice to be studied by Western experts.
Once – when the Greek Cypriots due to political difficulties agreed to install the complexes they acquired on the Greek island of Crete. There is information that as soon as Iran began to negotiate with Russia about buying the S-300 for its defense, Israel paid Greece a lot of money to get access to these systems to study them.
The second was when the USA bought parts of the complex through Belarus. However, it should be understood that those were early versions of the S-300s. The difference between modern technology and the one in 1978 is enormous.
When designing the F-35, the Americans took into account the information they collected about the capabilities of the radar light and guidance of the S-300. “But the fact that the Americans tried to make the plane invisible does not mean that it really is, says the defense expert.
And it’s not for nothing that the Pentagon suddenly announced the need for additional F-35 tests, recently. This is clear evidence that the US themselves does not believe in the competence of the F-35 against the S-300 air defense systems.
Analysis By: N.Ticku
