Brief post about the Syrian CDS network

The K-300P Bastion Launcher Vehicle. Snapshot taken from past Syrian exercise.

If your navy is not modern enough, and you are forced to face a stronger foe, CDS could save the day. 

After being defeated twice by Israel at the October War (1973) and having a poor budget for a long period, the Syrian Navy consists today mainly of a few old soviet OSA I/II FAC(M) and two Petya II antisubmarine frigates. In addition, it has six Iranian built Tir II FAC(M). That is why Damascus has chosen to improve her Coastal Defence capabilities.

Other countries have done it too. Egypt possesses Styx and Otomat systems (with an interest to also get Russian made K-300P), where as Greece and Cyprus have bought the Exocet. Not to mention Croatia, the only peripheral user of Swedish made RBS-15. But Syria has extremely invested in the sector. 

As it has been written many times, a catalyst event was the hit of “INS Hanit”. While the Israeli ship was participating at the blockade of the Lebanese coast during the “Lebanon War”, a Hezbollah’s Noor SSM launched from land position stuck it and forced it to return to Ashdod for repairs. Immediately after the war, Syria decided to (1) buy an Iranian made C-802 CDS, (2) equip the Su-24 with Kh-31A anti-ship missiles and (3) modernize the Ka-28 helicopter fleet. Later, the Russian-made K-300P was also bought. 

Today, the extensive syrian CDS consist of: 

Indicative range of both K-300P Bastion CDS.

A. Two modern K-300P Bastion systems. Each launcher vehicle carries two missiles that have 290km range. Last November, Russian Navy used a Bastion launcher developed in Syria to strike rebel land positions. The Syrian systems are most probably found at Latakia region. 

B. A modern Noor CDS, having max range 120km. Its position appears to be at Tartus region. 

Indicative ranges of C-802 CDS and Μ46 coastal gun batteries.

C. Less sophisticated Styx systems and M46 coastal defence guns. 

The Coastal Defense Command is protected by SAM systems, such as legacy SA-2, SA-3 or modern Pechora 2M, SA-11/17 and SA-22. A quantity of SA-19, reported to have been acquired last decade from Russia, could also provide protection. 

The legacy SA-3 SAM system has similar range with the newer Buk, the most capable present Syrian A/A system.

However, these systems have not intercepted any Israeli air raids, as the unsuccessful attack against the Bastions on 5 July 2013. At least, they destroyed a Turkish Recce Phantom in May 2012...