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Syria is seeking major improvement in its military. Some current plans and programs include:
@ getting technology from China, North Korea, and/or India to build a solid-fuel Scud-D with a range of 800km. (The current Scud-C has a range of 500km; the older Scud-B only 300km.)
@ Buying 30 new Su-27 strategic fighters from Russia.
@ Spending $400 million to upgrade existing fighter aircraft.
@ Buying Russian S300 anti-aircraft missiles.
Syria needs a nation-wide military upgrade; more than 80% of its military gear is out of date.--Stephen V Cole