S-300 Air Defense Batteries In Syria Appear To Be Operational - Possibly Signifying Heightened Alert Level

Images show S-300 air defense batteries in Syria likely turning operational

Israel’s ImageSat International says 3 of 4 launchers from powerful Russian anti-aircraft system appear to be raised, possibly signifying heightened alert level

An Israeli satellite imaging company on Tuesday said it had for the first time detected that a suspected Syrian S-300 air defense system appeared on track to become operational, signaling a possible threat to Israel’s air campaign against Iran in the country.

However, the ImageSat International firm added that there remained significant questions about the anti-aircraft battery’s condition.

Following the downing of a Russian spy plane by Syrian air defenses during an Israeli airstrike in September, Moscow announced it was providing the Syrian military with the advanced S-300 anti-aircraft system. Russia publicly blamed Israel for the loss of the reconnaissance aircraft and its 15 crew members.

The charge was rejected by Jerusalem, which also rebuffed a Russian claim that Israeli fighter jets hid behind the Russian reconnaissance aircraft following their attack.

Russia has said the S-300 platform it was giving Syria following September’s incident would “cool off hot heads” in the region.

Since the system was delivered in October, Russia has been training Syrian forces to operate the powerful air defense platform, reportedly at a base near Masyaf in northwestern Syria.

On Tuesday, the firm revealed that three of the four launchers of the S-300 system at the Masyaf base were raised, as evident by the shadows they cast on the ground next to them. This was the first time that the launchers were photographed in a raised position, though not necessarily the first time they had been put in position, the company said.

In November, the firm also released photographs of the battery, showing that it did not appear to be operational at that time.

For years, Israel has been waging a campaign against Damascus’s ally, Iran, which Jerusalem accuses of attempting to establish a permanent military presence in Syria to threaten the Jewish state.

This once quiet fight has become increasingly public in recent months, with each side issuing threats against the other.

“Due [to] the current regional tension… it is possible that the mentioned activity indicates [an] increase of the operational level and alertness,” ImageSat said.

In addition to four interceptor missile launchers, Moscow also provided Syria with new radars, targeting systems and command centers.

The Syrian military last year said it believed the S-300 air defense systems would largely stop Israel from successfully conducting strikes against targets in the country.