While Russia reportedly delivered its advanced S-300 anti-aircraft system to Syria over objections of the United States and Israel, Israeli intelligence reports the system is not yet operational.

The intelligence community bases its assessment on satellite photos, showing the S-300 deployed in the northwest of the country, near the S-400 system, which is operated by Russian military personnel exclusively. While a number of batteries are seen at the site, the intelligence reports state they are not yet operational.

The S-300’s radar can track up to 100 targets and engage up to 12 targets simultaneously within the 200-kilometer (120 mile) range and up to 27 kilometers (16.4 miles) in altitude.

However, according to a UPI report from January, “The American Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth Lightning Joint Strike Fighter is designed to destroy Russia’s S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems, its developers say. The F-35’s capability is particularly relevant in this time of increased concern over Russia’s alleged sale of S-300s to Iran, a nation that has repeatedly threatened to “wipe Israel off the map.”

The advanced system would pose new challenges to the Israel Air Force, with abilities not possessed in earlier systems, including the ability to tract stealth fighter planes, such as the new F-35 (Adir) fighter jets which Israel acquired from the United States.

The Israel Air Force began training to deal with the new advanced system back in the summer of 2015. The IAF commander has stated int he past, that while the S-300 will present “new challenges”, Israel has the capabilities to address them as well.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)