But he simply doesn't have the money to pay for much. Chief of Staff Gen. Ali Aslan has done much with few resources and has maintained the core of Syria's armored and anti-tank defenses. Syria also continues to build its missile capability and already has at least 1,000 Scud B and Scud Cs, capable of striking any part of its rival, Israel. The key to the Syrian military remains new weapons and training. Russia and Syria are said to be close to an agreement to begin deliveries of new weapons.
Western sources expect Moscow to begin deliveries of spare parts and smaller systems.