Russia Deploys S-300 to Syria to 'Prevent Hotheads From Making Rash Decisions'

The military expert pointed out that both advanced air defense systems have been installed in Syria in the most basic configuration possible. In other words, the capabilities of the S-300V4 and the S-400 deployed to Syria are largely limited, meaning that the systems have been ostensibly stationed in the war-torn Arab country to send a message.

"A single S-400 air defense missile battalion and a single S-300V4 squadron are incapable of tackling all challenges with regard to efficient fight against modern air assault weapons," he said.

The Russian Ministry of Defense, Khodarenok said, expects that a limited deployment will "sober the West up" and Moscow will not have to send additional defense complexes to Syria.

The Russian military "has all the capabilities to drastically increase the operational strength of its air defense forces in Syria," the analyst noted. "Moscow is currently merely demonstrating its capability to push back a potential adversary. Earlier, the lack of this prospect to a certain extent spoiled our potential partners."

The S-400 Triumf (NATO codename SA-21 Growler) anti-aircraft and anti-missile system was deployed to Syria last November after the Turkish Air Force downed a Russian Su-24 in northern Syria. In service since 2007, the complex is capable of intercepting all types of modern air weaponry, including fifth-generation warplanes, as well as ballistic and cruise missiles at a maximum range of nearly 250 miles.

Last week, the Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that the S-300V4 (NATO designation SA-23 Gladiator) was deployed to Tartus. The system is meant to track and intercept short- and medium-range ballistic missile, aeroballistic and cruise missiles, as well as fixed-wing aircraft, ECM (electronic countermeasure) platforms and precision-guided munitions.