The London based "al-Awsat" reported on 11 August that Iran and
a number of Gulf States have worked out a way to handle Syria's $12
billion arms debt to Russia so that Syria can now sign a new major
arms deal with Russia which will include: 48 MIG-29's; 14-24
Sukhoi-27 [which is claimed to be a better performer than the
Israeli F-15's]; SAM-11 ground to air missiles to replace the
SAM-6's; SAM-12's for defense against missiles and jets to replace
the SAM-5's, M300BMU - a development of the SAM-10 which is claimed
to be superior to the American Patriot, able to strike jets 100
kilometers away and missiles 40 kilometers away; as well as 300
T-80 tanks.
The sales are seen as part of a general strategy towards a
Russian-Syrian-Iranian alliance.
("al-Awsat" - London, 11 August, 1997)