Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has prevented the sale of new Bal-E coastal missile systems to Azerbaijan, according to Russian newspaper reports.
Russia apparently refused a request to sell Bal-E coastal missile systems to Azerbaijan because of fears by the country’s MoD.
Russia will not sell the Bal-E coastal missile system to Azerbaijan because of the risks it may present to the ships of the Caspian flotilla located in Russian territorial waters, said in Kommersant’s newspaper reports.
The newspaper, referring to its own sources, explains that the reason for the disruption of supply lies with the position of the Russian Ministry of Defense, the supply in the department was considered inexpedient.
As also previously reported, the Republic of Azerbaijan has expressed its intention to procure “Bal-E coastal missile system from Russia. According to Kommersant, Azerbaijan has been eyeing this missile system for a long time because of its need to protect its coastal zone of the Caspian Sea.
Bal-E is the export version of the BAL missile complex in service with the coastal missile unit of the Russian Navy Caspian Flotilla. The system is used to guard straits and territorial waters, to protect offshore sea lines, naval bases, coastal infrastructure, as well as to defend the coast at amphibious landing threat directions within the missile launch range.
The missile system boasts high mobility, short deployment and combat readiness time, large missile load and organised salvo launch capability. It provides high combat effectiveness, reliability and comfortable conditions for the crew. Missiles can be launched from positions located at highland sites up to 1,000 m above sea level, with man-made or natural obstacles in the direction of fire.
Four self-propelled launchers, with eight missiles on each, providing varied single/salvo launch combinations with high total firepower.