9K720 Iskander - Possible Future Operators

Possible Future Operators

• Belarus – Early reports said Belarus planned to purchase a brigade of Iskander-E as a pro-Russian deterrence weapon to counter the proposed NATO missile shield in Central Europe. Belarus later denied that it was negotiating with Russia about placing the missile system inside its borders as a counter to the U.S. missile-shield project, but Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said he’s planning to buy the weapons for the Belarusian army regardless.

• Greece – Greece is interested in buying an unknown number of Iskander-E.

• Iran has expressed interest in obtaining the system. In May 2009, the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, referring to selling the system to Iran, stated: "We will sacredly fulfill our agreements with Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and expect more activity in projects earmarked for joint implementation".

• Libya has repeatedly expressed interest in replacing its SCUD-B missiles with Iskanders. According to files released by Wikileaks, the sale had been agreed upon with Russia but delayed for unknown reasons.