I have always wondered about the relative sanity of gunrunners. This is a person who gives a less than honorable character a loaded weapon, and expects that person to do the honorable thing and pay him.
The Chinese are now allies of the Russians. I do know that that was sarcasm, though.
Maybe 600 million screaming Indians will help us.
"Man I hope so. Russia is playing a real dangerous game thinking that an Islamofacist bomb will benefit it." 
One of the many reasons that I've been telling everyone in my social circles to buy oil stocks over the past 18 months has been how Russia is playing geopolitics.
To understand what's going on, you've got to look at Russia's position and Putin's background as a spook (and Putin's next job as Russian oil Czar, he's about to retire as Russia's President, after all).
In 1997, Russia defaulted on its sovereign debt. That was a big deal. Russia, an oil-exporting nation, did not handle low oil prices well.
Besides its Iraqi shenanigans, Russia has since grasped that there are ways to push up oil. In spades, one such way is to get its competition bombed into non-production.
Iraq's oil-for-food didn't stray far from that plan, and now Russia is sending tempting bait into Iran that will either get Iran blockaded by the world (with Russia agreeing to not veto said blockade at the UN only..."reluctantly") or bombed directly (perhaps both).
To this end, nuclear power plant aid, nuclear weapons aid, and the sales of Billions of Dollars worth of military hardware (e.g. anti-aircraft missiles, anti-missile systems, etc.) to Iran simply serves to fatten up the pig before the slaughter (i.e. makes Iran an ever more tempting target for Israel/U.S. military attention).
A naval blockade of Iran would crush Iran's economy and destabilize their local politics, but Russia benefits from this because those things make oil more dear.
You see, Iran is a *competitor* to Russia, as Iran, like Russia, is an oil exporter.
Moreover, Iran is backing Islamic fanatics in Chechnya who have carried out suicide attacks against Russian children in Beslan, theatres, and apartment buildings in Moscow.
To the casual eye, Putin's "aid" to Iran makes no sense because Iran is quite literally Russia's economic and strategic enemy.
But for a spook like Putin, this "aid" is his ticket to get a military that *can* project force (e.g. Israel and/or the U.S.) into that region...to destroy a Russian oil competitor and Chechnyan terrorist supporter (e.g. Iran).
In short, Putin is baiting Iran such that someone like the U.S. or Israel will do his dirty work for him...and Putin won't be blamed when his competitor is smashed.
In fact, Putin may even win *concessions* from the U.S. in exchange for Russia's non-veto at the UN, or other such "favor." And Putin, being the shrewd spook, could stand even to veto a blockade or call for war against Iran...knowing that the U.S. and/or Israel must attack Iran, anyway.
Make no mistake that Putin wants Iran to give Chechnyan terrorists a nuke that goes off in Moscow. That's ludicrous beyond belief.
So Putin knows that Iran isn't going to be permitted to proliferate nukes...something, at some level, is going to be done to Iran to head off the destabilization that a nuclear Ayatollah would cause.
And Putin is supremely confident that the U.S. and/or Israel will take said action.
Moreover, whatever action is taken, be it a blockade of Iran or an invasion or a massive bombing or whatever, the price of oil goes up...benefiting Russia...one of the world's fastest growing oil exporters.
Basically, Putin is gaming everyone. The Iranians are accepting his "gifts" of technology (in realty, those "gifts" are bait for their own demise). The U.S. and/or Israel will prevent Iran from proliferating nukes (so Moscow won't go up in Chechnyan smoke)...
...And the price of oil goes up, as Iranian oil is about to be off of the market for a while one way or another.
You've seen President Bush take down the Taliban, jail Saddam Hussein, and defeat Democrats in multiple elections. You've seen Chirac forge Niger WMD documents and campaign against an Iraq War.
And now you get to see Putin play President Spook, Czar of oil.
For all who suffered through the low-brow geopolitics of the eight long Clinton years, your adrenaline fix from the new crop of leaders has only just begun.
9K331 Tor
SA-15 GAUNTLET
SA-N-9
HQ-17
The 9K331 Tor [SA-15 GAUNTLET land-based, SA-N-9 naval version] low-to-medium altitude SAM system is capable of engaging not only aircraft and helicopters but also RPVs, precision-guided weapons and various types of guided missiles. The HQ-17 is a copy of Tor-M1, that China will use it to replace the aging HQ-61 SAMs, will enter service around the year 2005. Although it is an autonomous system it can be interfaced into an integrated air defense network. SA-15b is designed to be a completely autonomous air defense system (at division level), capable of surveillance, command and control, missile launch and guidance functions from a single vehicle. The basic combat formation is the firing battery consisting of four TLARs and the Rangir battery command post. The TLAR carries eight ready missiles stored in two containers holding four missiles each. The SA-15b has the capability to automatically track and destroy 2 targets simultaneously in any weather and at any time of the day. The single stage solid propellant missile has a maximum speed of 850 m/s and is fitted with a 15 kg HE-fragmentation warhead detonated by a proximity fusing system. The missile is approximately 3.5 meters long with a diameter of 0.735 meters and a launch weight 170 kilograms. The cold launch ejection system propels the missile upwards to a height of 18-20 meters, whereupon thruster jets ignite and turn the weapon to the target bearing. The main sustainer rocket motor then ignites and the missile is command guided to the intercept point where the proximity fuse is triggered.
Effective range limits are from 1500 to 12000 m with target altitude limits being between 10 and 6000 m. The maximum maneuvering load factor limit on the weapon is 30 g.
The missile launcher consists of a box container extending down below the level of the hull top, holding two groups of four ready to fire missiles in the vertical position. Each missile is in a maintenance-free factory-sealed container-launcher box. The system is reloaded by a dedicated transportation/loader vehicle.
The 3D pulse Doppler electronically beam steered E/F-band surveillance radar provides range, azimuth, elevation and automatic threat evaluation data on up to 48 targets for the digital fire control computer processing system. Automatic track initiation can be performed on the 10 most dangerous targets, which are categorized and prioritized in order of threat for engagement. The operator reconfirms the highest priority target choice and tracks this target before firing the missile. The maximum radar range is stated as 25 kilometers, but the rapid five to eight second reaction time [including fire control target prioritization] suggests a somewhat greater range. The radar antenna, on top of the turret, is swung through 90º to the horizontal position for travel. Target radar surveillance is carried out on the move but the vehicle would normally come to a halt for missile launch.
The phased-array pulse Doppler G/H-band tracking radar is located at the front of the turret. This electronically steered radar is capable of simultaneously tracking two targets traveling at speeds of up to 700 km/h in all weather conditions, and countering threat ECM operations. The antenna assembly can be folded down for travel.
Mounted on the top left of this radar is a small vertical pointing antenna which serves to initially acquire the missile after launch before it is handed over to the main tracking/guidance system. On the lower right side of the tracking radar is an automatic TV tracking system with a range of 20000 m that complements the tracking radar and enables the system to operate in a heavy ECM environment.
The Tor is not amphibious although it is airportable. An NBC system is fitted as standard as is a built-in training system. The chassis of the vehicle is almost identical to that used for the 2S6 self-propelled hybrid air defense system and is based on the GM-569 tracked vehicle. The three man crew consists of the vehicle commander, system operator and vehicle driver, seated at the front of the vehicle with the large box-like unmanned turret in the center and the engine compartment at the rear. This arrangement is similar to that of the Kub (SA-6) and Shilka (ZSU-23-4) vehicles. The vehicle suspension consists of six dual rubber tired roadwheels with the idler at the front, drive sprocket at the rear and three return rollers.
An auxiliary gas turbine powers a 75 kW generator, allowing the main diesel engine to be shut down when the system is deployed to conserve fuel.
The Russian company Antei which produces anti-aircraft missile systems has developed a new efficient system Tor M1. A number of countries have precision weapons and a reliable shield is necessary against these weapons. The new Russian anti-aircraft missile system Tor is such a shield. The system consists of a special vehicle and two radars to detect targets and to accompany flying targets and missiles, a computer, and equipment for launch and navigation. The missile unit is a transportation and launch container with four missiles. A anti-aircraft guided missile is a one-stage missile with a solid fuel engine. The system is operated by 3 or 4 people. The Tor system ensures reliable protection for government, industrial and military sites and ground troops from all types of missiles, unpiloted aircraft, aircraft bombs, aircraft and helicopters with stealth capabilities. The Tor system is the only system in the world which can detect and identify various targets. It can detect targets at a height ranging from 10 meters to 6 kilometers. The Tor system is autonomous and has short reaction time. The latest technologies of Russia's defense industry are used in it.
Specifications
|
| Designations |
9K331 Tor-M1 |
| Date of Introduction |
1990 |
| Proliferation |
At least 5 countries |
| Crew |
3 |
| TLAR |
9A331 combat vehicle |
| Chassis |
GM-355 |
| Combat Weight (mt) |
34 |
| Length (m) |
7.5 |
| Height (m) |
5.1 (TAR up) |
| Width (m) |
3.3 |
| Engine Type |
V-12 diesel |
| Cruising Range (km) |
500 |
| Max. RoadSpeed |
65 (km/h) |
| Radio |
INA |
| Protection |
NBC Protection System |
| Launcher Reaction Time (sec) |
5-8 |
| Reload Time (min) |
10 |
| Fire on Move |
Yes |
| Emplacement Time (min) |
5 |
| Displacement Time (min) |
Less than 5 |
| Missile Name |
9M331 |
| Max. Range (m) |
12,000 |
| Min. Range (m) |
100 |
| Max. Altitude |
6,000 (m) |
| Min. Altitude |
10 (m) |
| Length |
2,900 (mm) |
| Diameter |
235 (mm) |
| Weight (kg) |
167 |
| Missile Speed (m/s) |
850 |
| Propulsion |
INA |
| Guidance |
Command |
| Warhead Type |
Frag-HE |
| Fuze Type |
RF Proximity |
| Warhead Weight (kg) |
15 |
| Self-Destruct (sec) |
INA |
| FIRE CONTROL |
Sights w/Magnification
Electro-optical (EO) television system |
| Range |
20 km |
| IFF |
Yes |
| Radar Function |
Target Acquisition |
| Detection Range (km) |
25 |
| Tracking Range (km) |
INA |
| Frequency |
INA |
| Frequency Band |
H-band Doppler |
| Radar Function |
Target Tracking and Guidance |
| Detection Range (km) |
INA |
| Tracking Range (km) |
25 |
| Frequency |
INA |
| Frequency Band |
K-band Doppler, Phased Array |
| VARIANTS |
SA-N-9 Naval version |
I been screaming this to friends and family for a long time they think I'm nuts
I told them more than 15 years ago about the UN being corrupt they called me nuts then too ! but they did wake up after the crap hit the fan with Iraq and the scandals .
I've been railing on alot of these current issues before they became current people on here have called me nuts
If i ever get smashed it'll smell like Peanut butter !