Egypt is preparing to accept delivery for upgraded anti-aircraft systems, S-125, from Russia, according to a report by the Middle East Newsline (MENL) on Sunday.
Industry executives were quoted in the report as saying that the first upgraded S-125 system could arrive by the end of the year.
The system is also termed the SA-3A, the upgrade of which began in 1999.
The surface-to-air missile systems, mounted on a wheeled chassis, are undergoing trials in Russia. The upgrade project is in cooperation with Belarus and 50 systems are being modernized, MENL said.
The prime contractor of the upgrade project is Russia's consortium Financial and Industrial Group. Belarus is participating in the project with chassis for the anti-aircraft system being produced by the Minsk Wheeled Tractor Plant. In all 90 chassis are being produced.
Executives said Egypt's aim in the upgrade is to ensure mobility and more rapid deployment of its Soviet-manufactured anti-aircraft systems.
Egypt obtained the S-125 systems in 1972.
The anti-aircraft missile was regarded as effective against Israeli combat aircraft during the Arab-Israeli war the following year.
The S-125 missile includes a large 2.6 second burn-time solid propellant booster with rectangular fins that rotate through 90 at launch.
The smaller main stage has an 18.7 second burn-time solid propellant sustainer motor, and has four aft fixed fins and four forward movable control. Following booster jettison the missile is tracked by the system's radar with guidance signals sent to an antenna on the rear fins – Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
