MOSCOW. Jan 23 (Interfax) - Russia's S-300 air defense missile systems and Bastion mobile coastal defense missile systems will ensure protection of the Russian naval facility at the Syrian port of Tartus.
An agreement between Russia and Syria on extension of the Russian naval facility near the port of Tartus and Russian military ships calling at the port was published on the Russian official legal information website on Friday.
A knowledgeable source told Interfax earlier that the reduction of the Russian military group in Syria was not to affect S-300 air defense missile systems or Bastion mobile coastal defense missile systems and that the systems would be used to defend the existing Russian naval facility at Tartus.
"Air protection and sea protection for the sustainment center of the Russian Navy at Tartus will continue to be secured by S-300 air defense missile systems, as well as Bastion mobile coastal defense missile systems using cruise missiles," the source said.
According to some reports, a battery of S-300V4 systems is protecting Tartus now. This is an advanced air defense system, which will ensure protection against missiles and air raids at longer ranges, the source said.
Amid the cutting of the Russian military group in Syria, the Russian military plans to upgrade the Tartus naval facility to such a level as to allow cruisers to call there.
"This will make it possible for various classes of ships, ranging from minesweeper to cruiser, to call at [the port of] Tartus and undergo current and medium repairs there," the source said. Experts from the Russian Navy are currently making preparations for dredging works and extending the channel at the port of Tartus, according to the source.
"In the future, two new terminals will be erected on the premises currently used by the Russian Navy to dock ships with a displacement of more than 10,000 tonnes. A block of residential and office buildings will also be built there," the source said.
Currently, capital ships remain in the outer harbor at Tartus, their maintenance and refueling being performed with involvement of naval auxiliary vessels, the source said.