Talks aimed at finalising details of a plan to deploy a Russian-built S-300 long-range air defence missile system on the Greek island of Crete were undertaken by Cypriot defence minister Yanniakis Chrysostomis during a visit to Moscow on 15 February.
"My visit to Moscow has to do with the final arrangements for the deployment of the missiles in Crete," the minister is quoted as saying.
The talks drew protests from Turkey, which earlier this year threatened to destroy any S-300 sites set up on Cyprus, the original location for the systems. "We think it is an unwise decision to bring sophisticated missiles to our area, be it Cyprus or the Aegean, "the Turkish foreign ministry says. The Turks' objection to the deployment was that the S-300 would have had sufficient range to engage aircraft over Turkey from Cyprus.
Cyprus and Greece finalised an agreement this month on deploying S-300s on Crete instead of Cyprus following US pressure on Greece not to deploy on the divided island. It was agreed that Greece will exercise control over the functioning of the missile systems which will remain the property of the Republic of Cyprus.
The S-300 is regarded as one of the most capable air-to-surface missile systems in the world, able to engage low-flying cruise missiles and tactical ballistic missiles as well as aircraft.
Source: Flight International