The missiles Russia recently delivered have advanced radar that makes them more effective against ships, The New York Times reported Friday, quoting US officials who are familiar with classified intelligence reports.
The anti-ship missile system could be used to counter any effort by international forces to assist Syrian rebels, including a no-fly zone, a naval blockade or limited airstrikes, the newspaper said.
"What I really worry about is that (Syrian President Bashar al-) Assad will decide that since he`s got these systems, he`s somehow safer and more prone to a miscalculation," Dempsey said. "So, you know, again, an unfortunate decision."
Dempsey added that the US didn`t have the option to prevent the delivery of any military sales to the Syrians.
At the same press briefing, Secretary of Defence Chuck Hagel said a primary reason for US Secretary of State John Kerry`s recent trip to Moscow was to talk with President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov about Syria and finding common ground.
Kerry has indicated that he raised the issue of Russian arms deliveries to Syria during his recent visit to Moscow. The US has "made it crystal clear" that it would prefer Russia not supplying assistance to the regime, he said.
Hagel said the delivery of the weapons makes the situation in Syria more dangerous.
"What`s happening there, everybody knows, is very, very dangerous. And what we don`t want to see happen, the Russians don`t want to see happen, is for Syria to erupt to the point where we may well find a regional war in the Middle East," Hagel said.
The disclosure of the weapons delivery comes as Russia and the United States plan an international conference aimed at ending the conflict in Syria, which has killed more than 70,000. The conference is expected to be held in early June.
More about:
