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Russia Expands Fleet in Syria with Jets that Can Attack Targets on Ground
(New York Times) Eric Schmitt and Neil MacFarquhar - Over the weekend, Russia deployed a dozen Su-24 Fencer and a dozen Su-25 Frogfoot ground-attack planes, bringing to 28 the number of warplanes at an air base near Latakia, Syria, giving its forces a new ability to strike targets on the ground. The planes are protected by at least two SA-22 surface-to-air, antiaircraft systems, and unarmed surveillance drones are flying reconnaissance missions. "With competent pilots and with an effective command and control process, the addition of these aircraft could prove very effective depending on the desired objectives for their use," said U.S. Air Force Gen. (ret.) David A. Deptula, who planned the American air campaigns in 2001 in Afghanistan and in the 1991 Persian Gulf war. In addition, 15 Russian Hip transport and Hind attack helicopters are also now stationed at the base. The Russians also have nine T-90 tanks and more than 500 marines at the base.