Responding to reports of a MiG-31E sale to Syria, the Russians asserted the jets would only be intended for intelligence gathering, and would lack offensive capabilities.
Syria does not need aircraft for intelligence purposes: it cannot overfly Israel or the US-controlled Iraq.
Rather, the non-offensive version of the MiG31-E is used for intercepting cruise missiles. Money for the jets comes from Iran, which is probably the end user of the MiGs.
Russia has proven that it supports any country, no matter how dangerous. Time and again it has refused to take action against Iran. Now Iran is almost at the point of having a nuclear weapon. It sells jets to Syria, how do we know that in time Syria will be flying over Israel in the next conflict?
“Mig* Syria” has supposedly bought will be of some use for the country irrespective of whether they’ll be used for fighting or for data gathering. but if “Mig* Syria” has bought will have Iran as its destination then everything comes into place.
Swiss demarche against Israel looks strange to say the least. Why don’t they object this Syrian purchase?