The American Spectator

Print Email

Text Size

The Spectacle Blog

There aren't many things that make our fly guys pause, but the threat of the "double-digit" SAMs -- surface to air missiles -- are right at the top of the list. These Russian-made systems are enough to deny all but stealth aircraft the ability to take out whatever they're defending.

Now, ready for the good news? Russia, which is helping Iran build its nuclear facilities and thus giving essential support to its nuclear weapons program, has agreed to sell its TOR-M1 double-digit SAM system to Iran. The TOR is comprised of the SA-15 "Gauntlet" surface to air missile mounted on a large tracked vehicle. It can fire on the move and can defeat not only aircraft but missiles and precision-guided munitions. It's missiles can take 30-g turns, which means you ain't gonna out-turn it in any manned aircraft.

Bad Vlad Putin, who the prez once said was "a man with whom I can do business," is giving Israel the business. When Iran gets the double-digit SAMs, Israel -- lacking stealthy aircraft -- won't be able to attack Iran's nuclear weapons facilities with any likelihood of success. Which will leave us with the option of doing it ourselves or allowing Iran to achieve its nuclear ambitions.

All those who think we shouldn't take what the Brits call "active measures" to stop Iran from getting the TOR M-1, please go sit in a corner until you're called on again.

topics:
Business, Iran, Russia, Israel, Nuclear Weapons