[Zhang Fei]

And Syria has an approx. equal number of Gazelles (French). Many Fulcrums as well. The brothers Assad have not used their aerial assets against the opposition as Qaddafi tried. Perhaps many dead-lined due to poor maintenance. Or due to Syria's incredibly shrinking military...

Aviation fuel is expensive. Syria is a poor country.

[donozark]

Between the Russian Base at Tartus, and the Iranian Base at Latakia, fuel will probably not be a problem. As for financing? Past debts have largely been written off by Mother Russia.

Russia cannot afford to lose it's only Med. Sea base. No matter the co$t.