"Triumph" as a reason to start a war
The Russian S-400 Triumph air defense system, which has no analogues in the world, is becoming a stumbling block for individual countries of the world and even for the military-political alliance NATO.
More recently, in April, during Putin’s visit to Ankara, it became known about the positive outcome of negotiations on the supply of two S-400 systems to Turkey, a member of the NATO bloc. Washington immediately reacted, warning Erdogan that if Turkey does not abandon the acquisition of the S-400, it will not be able to count on strengthening its air force with American 35th generation F-5 fighters.
To teach the Turkish troublemakers a lesson, the US Senate adopted a draft defense policy bill providing for a refusal to sell the F-35 to Ankara, citing the danger of transferring the latest “stealth” aircraft to a state that is ready to adopt a Russian air defense system designed to shoot down NATO aircraft. But Erdogan did not flinch.
The American publication Business Insider tried to clarify the situation by publishing an interview with US Air Force veteran, retired Lieutenant General David Deptula.
The general revealed details that Turkey, in response to the Senate initiative, hinted to Washington that it was “ready to knock on other doors.” For example, start negotiations on the purchase of the latest Russian multirole fighters of the 5th generation Su-57 in addition to the S-400 complexes.
At the same time, Deptula expressed his personal opinion that Turkey still will not risk buying the latest “dryers” from Russia, since they “do not meet NATO standards.”
The general also criticized the Su-57, but the author of the article expressed the opposite opinion, calling the Russian aircraft a direct competitor to the F-22 and F-35, and “a threat to NATO aviation.”
In addition, the article expressed concern that the Turkish precedent with the purchase of the S-400 would give Moscow the opportunity to somehow “get into NATO’s defense systems,” which would become a “nightmare” for the Alliance.
In the Middle East, the possible appearance of the S-300 or S-400 in the arsenal of some countries causes even stronger emotions. Israel has already expressed its concern about the possible transfer to Syria of the S-300 complexes, which are in service with the Russian Army, but are already ready for replacement, depriving their Air Force of an advantage. Israel promised to bomb these complexes first if the opportunity arises.
We sing a song to the madness of the brave and stock up on popcorn!
Not long ago it became known that Qatar is also negotiating with Moscow on the purchase of the S-400, which became incredibly in demand in the world after the publication of a French analytical bulletin stating that the vaunted American Patriot managed to intercept only 40% of 20 obsolete Iranian missiles type "Burkan-2", released by Yemeni Houthi rebels into the territory of the Saudi interventionists.
Qatar's ambassador to Moscow, Fadh Al-Khattyya, previously announced Qatar's desire to purchase the S-400 from Russia.
The idea that neighboring Qatar would get hold of Russian S-400s impressed King Salman of Saudi Arabia so much that he sent French President Emmanuel Macron a letter informing him of his readiness to start a war with Qatar if it puts Russian S-400s into service.
This amazing news was spread by the French newspaper Le Mond.
According to Korolka Gas Station, the presence of the S-400 in Qatar will definitely affect the security of Saudi airspace, since, in his opinion, there is a danger of escalation of tensions.
The most august Arabian personage informs Macron of his readiness to take all necessary measures to crush Qatar's air defense and demands that he disrupt the deal, thereby maintaining stability in the region.
What adds piquancy to the Saudi attack on Qatar is the fact that just a few days ago, the Saudi Ambassador to Moscow, Raid Ben Khalid Krimli, issued a statement to the press about successful negotiations with the Russian side on the supply of exactly the same S-400 systems to the kingdom.
The ambassador spoke about the ongoing discussions between specialists from the two countries discussing technical details, adding that he could not yet give a date for the end of the negotiations.
The seriousness of the Saudis’ intentions is evidenced by the opening of the Rostec office in Riyadh and progress on three other agreements.
The contract for the supply of S-400 to the Saudis is estimated at about $3 billion. In 2012, Rostec signed an agreement with the kingdom on the supply of domestic weapons for a tidy $20 billion, but it later turned out that Riyadh was feinting, offering firm contracts in exchange for Russia’s refusal supply its air defense systems to Iran.
In this regard, it is interesting to remember that in June last year, Donald Trump arrived in Saudi Arabia on an official visit, having concluded arms deals worth an astronomical amount of $110 billion.
Trump's price list was impressive. It included seven THAAD anti-missile batteries, four military satellites, four frigates, modern reconnaissance, communications and control equipment, and finally 104 thousand aerial bombs.
It would seem, why did Riyadh need the S-400 if Trump bargained for it the THAAD system? Some experts put the question exactly this way.
Once the fanfare died down, so did the PR bubble. It became known that the real amount of Trump’s deal with the Saudis should be divided by 10, since in most cases it was only about signing protocols of intent between the parties.
It should be taken into account that the price of one THAAD complex without a radar is a considerable $2,3 billion. The radar separately costs another half a billion or more, and at least a billion will have to be paid for a batch of interceptor missiles. Total, almost $4 billion for one battery.
Along the way, it became clear that THAAD cannot be a replacement for the Russian Triumph. The American missile defense system is designed to intercept medium- and shorter-range ballistic missiles in the upper part of the trajectory that touches outer space. The S-400 has greater versatility, but is primarily designed to destroy maneuverable aerodynamic targets (airplanes, helicopters, cruise missiles, drones).
Taking into account the low efficiency of the Patriot systems already in service with the Saudis, they have little choice. That is why their delegations often visit Moscow, and, to the chagrin of Washington “hawks,” an office of Rostec, subject to American sanctions, has been opened in Riyadh.
As for Qatar, this “gas station” is in a state of acute conflict with its neighbors. Exactly a year ago, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain accused her of supporting terrorism (which in itself is fabulous on the part of the Saudis), severed diplomatic relations and imposed an economic blockade.
Hence the mutual search for options in Moscow, accusations of Riyadh of escalating tensions in the region and threats to use military force.
In itself, the letter from the Saudi king to Macron, as the last resort, looks quite strange, if only because France has long lost its status as a world hegemon and, at best, has the weight of a regional power. It is possible that the little king wrote to all authorities, including the Washington Regional Committee, but the leak occurred only among the French.
So far, the diplomatic services of France and Saudi Arabia have remained silent and have not commented in any way on the Arab crisis surrounding the supply of S-400. But it is clearer than clear that the presence of Russian air defense systems in any Middle Eastern country contradicts the interests of the collective West, and in the case of Turkey, threatens the internal unity and interaction of NATO.
In any case, the Turks will be the first to receive the Triumphs. When and if it is the Saudis’ turn, this will not happen earlier than the second half of 2020. But it may happen that the Qataris, squeezed on all sides, will find themselves in line ahead of the Saudis. In any case, the deputy chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security, Alexei Kondratyev, confirmed the invariability of Russia’s course on concluding a contract with Qatar for the sale of S-400 anti-aircraft systems. Each country has its own interests. Apparently, Doha is currently showing miracles of compliance, which forced King Salman to take up his pen.
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