‘Feared’ Arms that Can Tip the Balance in Syria

As reports emerged claiming that Saudi Arabia plans to provide sophisticated arms to Syrian rebels to try to tip the balance in the war to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad, opposing voices rose up as Russia warned the Kingdom against such a move, saying it would endanger security across the Middle East and beyond.

One question is vital to be asked: What are these ‘feared’ arms purportedly capable of changing the balance of forces?

The US-made FIM-92 Stinger is a surface-to-air missile designed to attack aircraft from the ground. This light, portable and easy-to-use missile had gained reputation during Afghanistan’s first war, enabling the mujahideen fighters to destroy the most feared weapon in the Soviet arsenal, a Hind attack helicopter. Stinger, which can hit aircraft traveling at nearly 16,000 feet, empowered the U.S. military to shoot down 270 aircraft over the past 29 years.

The SA-7 is a shoulder-launched antiaircraft missile that was first developed by the Soviet army in 1967. This portable weapon needs no more than six seconds to be fired and uses a heat-detection system to pursue a plane. The missile self-destructs after 14 to 17 seconds of flight if it misses its target. The SA-7 can reach altitudes of up to 12,000 feet, and can be accurately launched from more than two miles away.

Although the China-made FN-6 air defense system has been scarcely spread in Syria, it inflicted great losses to the regime’s warplanes. This missile can shoot down any aircraft traveling at a speed not exceeding 440m/second.

Another China-developed surface-to-air missile is the QW-3 that is deemed as the equivalent of the French Mistral. This missile which is only fired from a launchpad adopts the semi-active laser guidance system.