Has the US decided to supply Israel with the S-300's countermeasures?
According to Reuters, the US has just decided to provide Israel with a record military aid package, which includes advanced weapons capable of countering the S-300.
Record aid
RT reported on October 3rd that the US has begun implementing a $38 billion aid package to Israel over 10 years, the largest aid package in US history for an ally.
This aid package is part of an agreement reached between Israel and the administration of former President Barack Obama in 2016.
The 10-year support package was officially activated on October 1st, precisely at a time when tensions between Israel and its arch-rival Iran in the Middle East were escalating, and Tel Aviv was particularly concerned about Russia's transfer of S-300 missiles to counter Israeli airstrikes.
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| Russia is transferring S-300 missile systems to Syria. |
According to the US State Department, the aid package aims to protect Israel against all potential adversaries in the region, but primarily against allegations of "the Iranian government funding terrorist groups."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote on Twitter: "Israel and the world are facing security challenges, primarily from Iran's aggression. The unwavering support of the United States for Israel's right to self-defense is one of the pillars of our enduring diplomatic relationship."
The agreement, detailed in the 2018 U.S.-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act, stipulates that Washington will provide Israel with $3.3 billion annually in foreign military aid and $500 million for defense missile cooperation programs.
Specifically, the U.S. approved the transfer of precision-guided munitions from its stockpiles to Israel to help the Jewish state respond promptly to missile threats. The act also allows for the expansion of U.S. weapons stockpiles in Israel.
It is no coincidence that the US officially activated a record aid package for Israel just before Russia announced the completion of the delivery of the S-300 air defense missile system – a weapon that is causing Israel considerable difficulty in finding ways to counter.
Therefore, Reuters suggests that, in this first disbursement, the US will most likely transfer long-range weapons or weapons considered countermeasures against air defense systems to Israel, enabling Tel Aviv to neutralize Syrian air defenses if necessary. So, what types of weapons might be included in this shipment?
Advanced weapons
According to experts, the United States has the most experience in dealing with the S-300, having acquired a complete set of S-300V and S-300P air defense missiles through various channels and suppliers, and has been practicing countermeasures for many years.
The first weapons considered capable of penetrating the S-300 defense umbrella that the US may soon supply to Israel are the AGM-158 JASSM stand-off attack cruise missiles. With a range of 370 km, a very low flight path to avoid radar, and stealth capabilities, it would easily penetrate Syrian air defense systems.
In addition, the US plans to transfer ADM-160 MALD decoy missiles to Israel to be used in conjunction with other offensive weapons in a large-scale salvo that would overwhelm Syrian air defenses and render them unable to distinguish real targets.
Finally, it is almost certain that Tel Aviv will receive the latest generation of American anti-radar missiles, the AGM-158E HARM. These are the ultimate killers of S-300 long-range radars thanks to their highly sensitive seekers, ability to remember target locations, and extreme difficulty in shooting them down.
Clearly, both Syria and Israel are preparing weapons for a major conflict, and the situation in the Middle East is therefore predicted to be extremely tense in the next phase. This is especially true now that Russia has completed the transfer of the S-300 system to Syria.