Baku has been moving away from the United States. Recently, Baku cancelled joint maneuvers with the U.S. military. At the same time Azerbaijan has been increasing its cooperation with Iran and Russia on energy and other matters. Beyond this, rhetoric from high level Baku officials has become progressively more anti-American. Though US policy makers have sought to discount the significance of these signals, there is little doubt that US – Azerbaijani relations are undergoing a change for the worse. The questions are why and what can be done.
http://www.news.az/articles/19862
ROAR: “Building air defense shield in Azerbaijan is in Russia’s interests”
Russia’s arms exporter denies selling S-300 air defense systems to Azerbaijan, as the contract on supplying such weapons to Iran remains in limbo.
Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport has denied a Vedomosti daily report that the company has sold S-300 surface-to-air missile systems to Azerbaijan. The business paper speculated the company would supply S-300 systems to arm two battalions according to a deal allegedly signed in 2009.
http://rt.com/Politics/2010-07-30/roar-azerbaijan-air-defense.html
Jane's Defense Systems News reported as far back as in January 2008 that Tehran was in the final stages of negotiations with Belarus for the acquisition of two surplus trailer-mounted towed S-300PT systems.
These outdated systems were deployed near Minsk and Belarus allegedly asked $140 mln for the two systems (including parts, maintenance and training).
The actual sale has never been confirmed. Belarus has no right to resell air defense systems supplied by the Soviet Union and later the Russian Federation.
Russia signed a contract on supplying Iran with at least five S-300 systems in December 2005, but the contract’s implementation has so far been delayed.
Thanks AdmSmith!