View source for Syrian Air Defence Force

{{distinguish|text = the new transitional Syrian government and its military capabilities currently seen at [[Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham]]|Syrian National Army}}
{{Short description|Air defence branch of the Syrian military}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Syrian Air Defence Force
| native_name                   = {{langx|ar|قوات الدفاع الجوي السوري}}
| image                         = Roundel of Syria (1948–1958; 1961–1963).svg
| image_size                    = 150px
| caption                       = Emblem of the SyADF
| start_date                    = {{start date and age|1969|df=yes}}{{Efn|Reorganised in 1971}}
| disbanded                     = 
| country                       = {{flag|Syria}}
| branch                        = 
| type                          = [[Anti-aircraft warfare|Air defense]]
| role                          = [[Aerial warfare]]
| command_structure             = {{flagicon image|Flag of the Syrian revolution.svg}} [[Syrian Armed Forces]]
| garrison                      = [[Damascus]], Syria
| garrison_label                = Headquarters
| nickname                      = 
| patron                        = 
| motto                         = 
| colours                       = Blue, Green
| colours_label                 = 
| march                         = 
| mascot                        = 
| anniversaries                 = 16 October
| equipment                     = <!-- Leadership -->
| commander1                    = [[Ahmed al-Sharaa]]
| commander1_label              = [[President of Syria|Commander-in-Chief]]
| commander2                    = [[Major general|Major General]] 
 [[Murhaf Abu Qasra]]
| commander2_label              = [[Ministry of Defence (Syria)|Minister of Defence]]
| commander3                    = Vacant
| commander3_label              = Chief of Air Defence Staff
| commander4_label              = <!-- Insignia -->
| notable_commanders            = [[Major General]] Ali Tawfiq Samra<ref>[https://x.com/SAMSyria0/status/1801574601840832662?t=GK7tz1MBGfShHlrJhyGbZA&s=19 يوجد أي حساب على مواقع التواصل للواء علي سمرة مدير إدارة الدفاع الجوي والحساب على فيسبوك مزور الأخبار المتداولة عن شهداء الجيش العربي السوري في البادية السورية كاذبة ومضللة لا يوجد لا 100 شهيد ولا 50 ولا عشرات ]</ref>
| identification_symbol_2       = [[Military ranks of Syria]]
| identification_symbol_3       = [[File:Flag of the Syrian revolution.svg|border|80px]]
| identification_symbol_2_label = Insignia
<!-- Manpower -->| identification_symbol_3_label = Flag of the Syrian Air Defence Force
| size                          = 21,000 (active, as of 2023){{sfn|IISS|2023|page=354}}<br />15,000 (reserve, as of 2021)<ref name="auto">The Military Balance 2021 page 366</ref>
<!-- Related aricles -->| battles                       = {{tree list}}
*[[Six-Day War]] 
*[[War of Attrition]]
*[[Yom Kippur War]]
*[[Lebanese Civil War]]
**[[1982 Lebanon War]]
***[[Operation Mole Cricket 19]]
*[[Syrian civil war]]
{{tree list/end}}
| website                       = {{URL|www.syadf.com.sy}}
}}

The '''Syrian Air Defence Force''' ('''SyADF''' or '''SADF'''; {{langx|ar|قوات الدفاع الجوي العربي السوري}}), was an independent command within the [[Syrian Armed Forces]]. It was responsible for protecting the Syrian airspace against any hostile air attacks. <ref name="syfr"></ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://syriadirect.org/how-does-israel-keep-getting-past-syrias-air-defenses/|title=How does Israel keep getting past Syria’s air defenses?|first=Azzam|last=Daaboul|date=May 7, 2020}}</ref> The SyADF was one of the most powerful and combat-tested Air Defence forces in the region.<ref name="syfr"></ref>

==Background==
In 1987, the SyADF Command was part of the [[Syrian Army]] Command, though it also had some [[Syrian Air Force]] personnel. At the time, it had 20 brigades with about 95 [[surface-to-air missile]] batteries, and two regiments. The SyADF Command also had access to [[interceptor aircraft]] and radar facilities.{{sfn|Collelo|1988|pages=258−259}} Since 2017, it has been linked to a joint Russian-Syrian command.<ref name="syfr">{{Cite web|language=french|author=Jean-Baptiste Naudet|title=Syrie : les Russes ont-ils abattu leur propre avion ?|publisher=nouvelobs.com|date=19 September 2018|url=https://www.nouvelobs.com/monde/20180919.OBS2592/syrie-les-russes-ont-ils-abattu-leur-propre-avion.html|access-date=30 December 2018}}</ref>

[[File:Офицеры 231-го зрп у ЗРК С-200 в Сирии.jpg|thumb|250px|Soviet officers of the 231st Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment at the Syrian S-200VE '' Vega-E '' complex, circa 1983.]]

According to [[Anthony H. Cordesman]] of the ''[[Center for Strategic and International Studies]]'', the SyADF had 60,000 men in 2008, divided in 25 regional brigades and a total of 150 batteries spread countrywide, split into two major commands: North Zone for protection against [[Turkey]] and [[Iraq]], and the South Zone that also covered [[Lebanon]]. 2008 assets included 11 [[S-75 Dvina]] and [[S-125]] brigades with 60 batteries and about 468 launchers, 11 brigades with 27 batteries armed with about 195 [[2K12 Kub]] launchers and some anti-aircraft guns. Additionally, there were two regiments that had two battalions armed with two batteries each equipped with 44 [[S-200 missile system|S-200]]s, and an unspecified number of [[9K33 Osa]] launchers. Most of these systems were obsolete and despite receiving some upgrades, they were largely vulnerable to Israeli active and passive countermeasures including [[anti-radiation missile]]s, location and identification systems, and jammers. The SyADF also had about 4,000 [[9K32 Strela-2]] and Strela-2M [[man-portable air-defense system]]s, though Cordesman notes that most were probably operated by the Army, which also operated more advanced [[9K34 Strela-3]] and [[9K38 Igla]] MANPADS.{{sfn|Cordesman|Nerguizian|Popescu|2008|pages=183−186}}

Following the [[Syrian Civil War]] in 2011, the SyADF was reduced in size, with insurgents seizing SAM systems and radar sites. The country financial difficulties, and transfer of a large number of personnel to the Army and the [[National Defence Forces]] also took their toll. Russia provided the SyADF with more modern systems including the [[Buk missile system|Buk]] and [[Pantsir]]. In 2012, it was visually confirmed that the [[9K35 Strela-10]] was in service, while most [[9K31 Strela-1]] batteries were placed in storage.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mitzer |first1=Stijn |last2=Oliemans |first2=Joost |title=Photo Report: The Syrian Arab Air Defence Force |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2016/08/photo-report-syrian-arab-air-defence.html |website=Oryx |access-date=15 December 2024 |date=8 August 2016}}</ref> An unknown number of [[S-300 missile system|S-300]] system were delivered to Syria in 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/the-latest-fighters-stop-protesters-outside-syria-town/2018/09/28/508d21f6-c32a-11e8-9451-e878f96be19b_story.html|title=The Latest: Russia says Syria now has S-300 anti-air system|newspaper=Washington Post|language=en|access-date=2018-09-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930120030/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/the-latest-fighters-stop-protesters-outside-syria-town/2018/09/28/508d21f6-c32a-11e8-9451-e878f96be19b_story.html|archive-date=2018-09-30|url-status=dead}}</ref> A large number of Iranian Air Defence systems were delivered to the country in 2021: [[Mersad]], [[Sevom Khordad|Khordad-3]] and [[Khordad 15 (air defense system)|Khordad-15]] systems.<ref name="syfrm">{{Cite news|url=https://iranwire.com/en/features/67672|author=Ahmad Salloum|website=iranwire.com|title=Exclusive: Iran Begins Developing Air Defense Systems in Syria|date=27 September 2020|access-date=15 May 2022}}</ref><ref name="orga1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/iran-syria-air-defense-pact-could-disrupt-allied-operations|author=Farzin Nadimi|publisher=Washington institute for Near East policy|title=Iran-Syria Air Defense Pact Could Disrupt Allied Operations|access-date=15 May 2022|date=24 July 2020}}</ref> 

The Syrian [[early warning system]] comprises Long Track; [[P-12 radar|P-12 Spoon Rest]]; [[P-14 radar|P-14 Tall King]]; [[P-15 radar|H-15 Flat Face]]; [[P-18 radar|P-18 Spoon Rest]]; [[P-19 radar|P-19]]; [[P-30 radar|P-30 Big Mesh]]; [[P-35 radar|P-35 Bar Lock]]; [[P-80 Back Net]]; [[YLC-6 Radar]]; [[JY-27 Radar|JY-27]]; [[JYL-1 Radar|JYL-1]]; [[PRV-13]]; [[PRV-16 Thin Skin]]; [[Alborz (radar)|Alborz]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2021/09/01/2564064/iran-unveils-new-air-defense-systems |title=Iran Unveils New Air Defense Systems - Politics news - Tasnim News Agency |access-date=9 September 2021 |archive-date=9 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909155845/https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2021/09/01/2564064/iran-unveils-new-air-defense-systems |url-status=dead }}</ref> mobile and static radar sites throughout Syria.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://military.ddns.net/Syria_EW_radars/Syria_EW_radars.html|title=Syrian early warning radar sites|website=military.dds.net|access-date=15 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://defence-blog.com/source-israeli-f-35-destroyed-chinese-made-radar-during-airstrikes-in-syria/|publisher=defence-blog.com|author=Dylan Malyasov|title=Source: Israeli F-35 destroyed Chinese-made radar during airstrikes in Syria|date=19 February 2019|access-date=15 May 2022}}</ref>

In the 1980s the SyADF operated 50 [[MiG-25]] and MiG-25R (NATO reporting name: "Foxbat") and 310 [[MiG-21]]MF/S/U (NATO reporting name: "Fishbed") interceptors.{{sfn|Collelo|1988|page=292}}

==Current structure and organization==
[[File:Syrian SAM.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Part of a Syrian [[2K12 Kub]] [[ground-to-air missile]] site built near the Beirut-Damascus highway and overlooking the [[Bekaa Valley]], in early 1982 during the [[1982 Lebanon War]].]]

* 40,000 active personnel<ref name="auto"/> 
* 15,000 reserve personnel
* [[Air Defence]] [[Division (military)|Division]] HQ<ref name="org">{{Cite news|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/syria/air-defense.htm|title=Air Defense Command (ADC)|website=globalsecurity.org|access-date=15 May 2022}}</ref>
** 33 [[Air Defence]] [[Brigade]]s
*** 150 [[Air Defence]] [[Artillery battery|Batteries]]
****25 defence teams (130 batteries)

*Including:<ref>{{Cite journal|url=http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-Syria-SAM-Deployment.html|title=Strategic SAM Deployment in Syria|author=Sean O'Connor|website=ausairpower.net|date=8 January 2010 |pages=1 |access-date=15 May 2022}}</ref>
* Self-propelled
** 62 batteries:
*** 11 teams - 27 batteries - SA-6 Gainful (PU SAM 2K12 Square);
*** 14 Battery - SA-8 Gecko (PU SAM 9K33 Osa);
*** 12 Battery - SA-22 Greyhound (96K6 Pantsyr S1E);
*** 9 Battery - Buk-M2
* Towed
** 11 teams - 60 batteries with SA-2 Guideline (CP-75 Dvina / S-75M Volga) and SA-3 Goa (S-125 Neva / S-125M Pechora) (Being upgraded);
* Two SAM regiments with SA-5 Gammon(in each brigade to 2 divisions for 2 batteries each).
** Four SAM battalions
*** Eight Static/Shelter [[Surface-to-air missile|SAM]] batteries
* Two independent SAM [[Regiment]]s
** Four SAM batteries with SA-8

== Former Inventory ==
{{See-also|Equipment of the Syrian Army}}

The Israeli military estimated that 86% of the SyADF systems were destroyed during the airstrikes conducted by the [[Israeli Air Force]] on 9 and 10 December 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fabian |first1=Emanuel |title=Israeli Air Force says it has achieved total air superiority above Syria |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/israeli-air-force-says-it-has-achieved-total-air-superiority-above-syria/ |access-date=14 December 2024 |work=Times of Israel |date=12 December 2024}}</ref>

=== Towed and self-propelled air defence systems ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Gear
!Country of Origin
!In Service
!Type
!Comments
|-
|[[Sevom Khordad|Khordad-3]]
|{{IRN}}
|Unknown
|Mid- Range Mobile SAM
|[[Taer 2]] and [[Sayyad (missile)|Sayad]] missile. Delivered between 2019 and 2022.<ref name="syfrm"></ref>
|-
|[[Khordad 15 (air defense system)|Khordad-15]]
|{{IRN}}
|Unknown
|Long Range Mobile SAM
|[[Sayyad-3]] missile. Delivered between 2019 and 2021.<ref name="syfrm"></ref><ref name="orga1"></ref>
|-
|[[Mersad]]
|{{IRN}}
|Unknown
|Short- to Mid- Range Mobile SAM
|[[Shahin (surface-to-air missile)|Shahin missile]]. Delivered between 2019 and 2021.<ref name="syfrm"></ref><ref name="orga1"></ref>
|-
|[[Buk missile system|Buk-M2E Missile System]]
|{{RUS}}
|Up to 40<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/syria/airforce-equipment.htm|title=Syria - Air Force Equipment|last=Pike|first=John|website=www.globalsecurity.org|access-date=2018-09-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504013347/https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/syria/airforce-equipment.htm|archive-date=2018-05-04|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://vpk.name/news/95907_chem_budet_voevat_siriya_v_sluchae_agressii_stran_zapadnoi_koalicii.html |title=Чем будет воевать Сирия в случае агрессии стран западной коалиции? |date=30 August 2013 |access-date=14 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006082427/http://vpk.name/news/95907_chem_budet_voevat_siriya_v_sluchae_agressii_stran_zapadnoi_koalicii.html |archive-date=6 October 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> + 20 Buk-M1-2s.<ref name="auto1">The International Institute
For Strategic Studies IISS The Military Balance 2012. — Nuffield Press, 2012. — С. 349 с</ref>
|Mid-Range Mobile SAM
|Up to 36 believed to be delivered before 2011. Additional units delivered in 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.eurasiareview.com/28092018-syria-to-receive-new-missile-shields-in-addition-to-s-300/|title=Syria To Receive New Missile Shields In Addition To S-300|date=2018-09-28|work=Eurasia Review|access-date=2018-09-30|language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|[[Buk missile system|Buk-M1-2 Missile System]]
|{{USSR}}
|20<ref name="auto1"/>
|Mid-Range Mobile SAM
|Additional delivered in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php |title=Trade Registers |access-date=14 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414022558/http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php |archive-date=14 April 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> 
|-
| [[Tor missile system|Tor-M1 Missile System]] || {{RUS}} || N/A || Short-Range Mobile SAM||Modified Tor-M1 "Dezful" variant. Supplied by Iran in 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Jones|first=Dion Nissenbaum and Rory|date=2018-04-17|title=Israel Conferred With U.S. on Strike in Syria to Target Iranian War Gear|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/israel-conferred-with-u-s-on-strike-in-syria-to-target-iranian-war-gear-1524001066|access-date=2021-09-09|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180418051357/https://www.wsj.com/articles/israel-conferred-with-u-s-on-strike-in-syria-to-target-iranian-war-gear-1524001066|archive-date=18 April 2018|issn=0099-9660}}</ref>
|-
|[[Pantsir missile system|Pantsir S-1]]
|{{RUS}}
|57+<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/|title=Daily defense news for military procurement managers, contractors, policy makers|website=Defenseindustrydaily.com|access-date=14 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407034955/https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/|archive-date=7 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>  (+10 Pantsir S-2)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/reboot/how-russia-helping-syria-take-back-its-airspace-israel-177470)|title=How Russia is Helping Syria Take Back Its Airspace From Israel|access-date=29 November 2023|date=2 February 2021|author=Sebastien Roblin|publisher=National Interest}}</ref>
|Short-Range Mobile SAM
|Pantsir S-1 and S-2(E) variants. 40 delivered up until 2017. Additional units delivered in 2018. One unit destroyed by an Israeli airstrike in 2018. Two more destroyed in an Israeli air strike in January 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.eurasiareview.com/28092018-syria-to-receive-new-missile-shields-in-addition-to-s-300/|title=Syria To Receive New Missile Shields In Addition To S-300|date=2018-09-28|work=Eurasia Review|access-date=2018-09-30|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930115827/http://www.eurasiareview.com/28092018-syria-to-receive-new-missile-shields-in-addition-to-s-300/|archive-date=2018-09-30|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|[[9K35 Strela-10|Strela-10]]
|{{USSR}}
|35{{sfn|Pike|2018}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://eng.mil.ru/en/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12171611@egNews |title=Briefing by Russian Defence Ministry official Major General Igor Konashenkov (April 16, 2018) |access-date=2018-04-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418093246/http://eng.mil.ru/en/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12171611@egNews |archive-date=2018-04-18 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|Short-Range Mobile SAM
|
|-
|[[9K31 Strela-1|Strela-1]]
|{{USSR}}
|20{{sfn|Pike|2018}}<ref>The Military Balance 2012 page 349.</ref>
|Short-Range Mobile SAM
|
|-
|[[9K33 Osa]]
|{{USSR}}
|50{{sfn|Pike|2018}}
|Short-Range Mobile SAM
|60 delivered. Several lost in Syria Civil War.
|-
|[[2K12 Kub]]
|{{USSR}}
|Up to 150{{sfn|Pike|2018}}
|Mid-Range Mobile SAM
|195 at the start of 2012. Some units out of service due to partial replacement by Buk-M2.
|-
|[[S-300 missile system|S-300 Missile System]]
|{{RUS}}
|24<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/09/russian-fm-lavrov-delivery-300-syria-regime-begun-180929054212640.html|title=Russian FM Lavrov: Delivery of S-300 to Syria regime has begun|website=www.aljazeera.com|access-date=2018-09-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930013619/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/09/russian-fm-lavrov-delivery-300-syria-regime-begun-180929054212640.html|archive-date=2018-09-30|url-status=live}}</ref>
|Long Range Mobile SAM
|24 delivered in October 2018. PMU-2 Favorit variant.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/russia-stokes-fears-of-an-arms-race-with-threat-to-deliver-antiaircraft-missiles-to-syrian-regime-8634578.html |location=London |work=The Independent |first1=Shaun |last1=Walker |first2=Charlotte |last2=McDonald-Gibson |first3=Nigel |last3=Morris |title=Russia stokes fears of an arms race with threat to deliver anti-aircraft missiles to Syria's Assad regime |date=29 May 2013 |access-date=4 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529000058/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/russia-stokes-fears-of-an-arms-race-with-threat-to-deliver-antiaircraft-missiles-to-syrian-regime-8634578.html |archive-date=29 May 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2022, it was removed from Syria.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/russia-ships-s-300-air-defence-missiles-out-syria-satellite-images-2022-08-29/|title=Russia ships S-300 air defence missiles out of Syria - satellite images|access-date=10 June 2024|date=29 August 2022|publisher=Reuters}}</ref>
|-
|[[S-200 (missile)|S-200]]
|{{USSR}}
|Up to 44{{sfn|Pike|2018}}
|Long-Range Static SAM
|Modified by [[Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center|CERS]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oborona.ru/includes/periodics/geopolitics/2012/1008/17389386/detail.shtml|title=Geopolitics|date=26 November 2012|access-date=14 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016224715/http://www.oborona.ru/includes/periodics/geopolitics/2012/1008/17389386/detail.shtml|archive-date=16 October 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Destroyed an Israeli [[F-16]] on 10 February 2018. Destroyed a Russian [[Cargo aircraft|cargo]] [[Ilyushin Il-18#Military|Il-20]] on 17 September 2018.
|-
|[[S-125 Neva/Pechora|S-125 Pechora]]
|{{USSR}}<br>{{RUS}}
|148 + 30 2M{{sfn|Pike|2018}}
|Mid-Range Static SAM
|Additional 2M's may be delivered in 2023.
|-
|[[S-75 Dvina]]
|{{USSR}}<br>{{RUS}}
|Up to 36{{sfn|Pike|2018}} (S-75 Volga, S-75M Volga variant obr. 1995)
|Mid-Range Static SAM
|In service, mainly deployed against UAVs.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://inf.news/en/military/750473e0e7bcb5a97d3515f1111de14f.html | title=The king is always the king: Syria successfully shot down drones with old anti-aircraft missiles | website=inf.news}}</ref>
|}

===Electronic warfare systems===
{|class="wikitable" style="width:90%;"
|-
! style="width:15%;"| Name
! style="width:15%;"| Type
! style="width:12%;"| Quantity
! style="width:12%;"| Origin
! Photo
! Notes
|-
|Groza-S
|rowspan="2"|Mobile [[electronic countermeasure]] system
|N/A
|{{BLR}}
|[[File:ECM_station_2.jpg|170px]]
|Supplied by Belarus in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|access-date=26 May 2019|website=naviny.by|title=Беларусь выходит в лидеры на рынке средств радиоэлектронной борьбы, Не исключено, что белорусская электроника двойного назначения применялась в ходе боевых действий в Сирии|url=https://www.naviny.media/article/20180506/1525592387-belarus-vyhodit-v-lidery-na-rynke-sredstv-radioelektronnoy-borby |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901073708/https://naviny.media/article/20180506/1525592387-belarus-vyhodit-v-lidery-na-rynke-sredstv-radioelektronnoy-borby |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 1, 2020 |date=14 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discred.ru/2020/09/15/belorusskaya-groza-s-v-sirii-vyrvala-zuby-u-amerikanskih-zhnetsov/|title=Белорусская «Гроза-С» в Сирии вырвала зубы у американских «Жнецов»|date=September 15, 2020}}</ref>
|-
|}

==Combat history==
{{see-also|List of aviation shootdowns and accidents during the Syrian civil war}}

[[File:Syrian SA-5 Air Defense System.png|Syrian SA-5 Air Defence system in 1984|thumb|150px]]

In October 1973, the Syrian Air Defence Force (SyADF) shot down numerous Israeli warplanes using mostly the [[2K12 Kub]] (SA-6) SAMs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nsarchive.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB98/octwar-56.pdf|title=White House Military Briefing.|access-date=29 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151224024338/http://nsarchive.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB98/octwar-56.pdf|archive-date=24 December 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In 1982, Israel claimed that 19 of 20 batteries, consisting of five launchers per battery, each launcher carrying three SA-6 missiles, were wiped out in [[Operation Mole Cricket 19]], and the SyADF claimed to have shot down 43 Israeli warplanes over Lebanon in the same year.<ref>Herzog, ''The Arab–Israeli Wars'', Random House (1982) pp. 347–48</ref><ref>Bruce Walker & the editors of Time-Life books, ''Fighting Jets: The Epic of Flight'', Time Life Books (1983) pp. 162–63</ref>
 
On 22 June 2012, the Syrian Air Defence Force [[2012 Turkish F-4 Phantom shootdown|shot down a Turkish McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II]] reconnaissance jet. The jet's pilots were killed; both Turkish and Syrian forces searched for them before recovering their bodies in early July. The incident greatly escalated the tensions between Turkey and Syria.<ref name=aa0307>[http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/07/03/224145.html "Assad regrets downing of Turkish jet, says won’t allow open combat with Ankara"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131013105625/http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/07/03/224145.html |date=2013-10-13 }}. [[Al Arabiya News]], 3 July 2012. Retrieved: 26 August 2013.</ref>

In mid-November 2013, Turkish sources claimed the SyADF targeted, for ten seconds, three Turkish [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16]] fighters that were flying near [[Dörtyol]], over southern [[Hatay province]] after deploying from the [[Incirlik Air Base|Incirlik]] and [[Amasya Merzifon Airport|Merzifon]] airbases.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/syrian-air-defenses-harass-turkish-aircraft-by-putting-them-under-radar-lock-general-staff.aspx?pageID=238&nID=58031&NewsCatID=359|title=Syrian air defences 'harass' Turkish aircraft by putting them under radar lock: General Staff - INTERNATIONAL|date=16 November 2013 |access-date=5 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105223257/http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/syrian-air-defenses-harass-turkish-aircraft-by-putting-them-under-radar-lock-general-staff.aspx?pageID=238&nID=58031&NewsCatID=359|archive-date=5 November 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The incident came after a Turkish F-16 [[Syrian–Turkish border clashes (2012–14)|shot down]] a Syrian [[Mil Mi-17|Mi-17]] helicopter on September 16 after Turkey claimed it crossed into Turkish airspace in the same area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theaviationist.com/2013/09/16/turkish-downing-detail/#.Uoltc-JXn0c|title=Here's how the Turkish F-16 shot down a Syrian Mil Mi-17 Hip helicopter today|work=The Aviationist|date=16 September 2013|access-date=29 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208132706/http://theaviationist.com/2013/09/16/turkish-downing-detail/#.Uoltc-JXn0c|archive-date=8 December 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

On 17 March 2015, a US [[General Atomics MQ-1 Predator|MQ-1 Predator]] drone was shot down by a Syrian S-125 missile.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.airforcetimes.com/story/military/pentagon/2015/06/29/air-force-lost-predator-was-shot-down-in-syria/29474659/|title=Air Force: Lost Predator was shot down in Syria|date=29 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2015/03/17/middleeast/syria-us-drone/ |title=Syria says it shot down U.S. Drone |date=17 March 2015 |access-date=2015-12-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151209062712/http://edition.cnn.com/2015/03/17/middleeast/syria-us-drone/ |archive-date=2015-12-09 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 13 September 2016, the Syrian Army claimed to have downed an Israeli warplane and a drone after an attack on Quneitra province. The Israel defence Forces denied any such loss.

On 17 March 2017, the Syrian Armed Forces [[March 2017 Israel–Syria incident|claimed to have downed an Israeli warplane]] after an attack on military site near Palmyra.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://sana.sy/en/?p=102350 |title=Syrian air defense shoots down one of 4 Israeli warplanes targeting military site near Palmyra |date=17 March 2017 |access-date=2017-03-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317113053/http://sana.sy/en/?p=102350 |archive-date=2017-03-17 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Israel Defence Forces|Israel defence Forces]] denied any such loss.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/IDF-denies-claim-that-Syria-shot-down-Israeli-jet-484465|date=17 March 2017|access-date=18 March 2017|website=Jerusalem Post|title=Netanyahu: Syrian strikes were to block transfer of weapons to Hezbollah|first=Anna|last=Ahrenheim|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317151325/http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/IDF-denies-claim-that-Syria-shot-down-Israeli-jet-484465|archive-date=17 March 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

On February 10, 2018, Israel launched air strikes against targets in Syria with eight fighter aircraft as retaliation for a UAV incursion into the airspace of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights earlier in the day. Syrian Air Defences succeeded in [[February 2018 Israel–Syria incident|shooting down one]] of the Israeli jets, an [[F-16I Sufa]], with an S-200 missile.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5131594,00.html|title=Investigation finds pilots of downed F-16 failed to defend themselves|date=25 February 2018|newspaper=Ynetnews|access-date=3 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311082643/https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5131594,00.html|archive-date=11 March 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all|last1=Zitun|first1=Yoav}}</ref> The jet crashed in the [[Jezreel Valley]], near [[Harduf]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/02/10/israeli-fighter-jet-shot-syrian-anti-aircraft-fire-military/|title=Israel strikes Iranian targets in Syria after F-16 fighter jet shot down|first=Josie|last=Ensor|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=10 February 2018|access-date=3 April 2018|via=www.telegraph.co.uk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404164910/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/02/10/israeli-fighter-jet-shot-syrian-anti-aircraft-fire-military/|archive-date=4 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Both the pilot and the navigator managed to eject.<ref>
[https://www.timesofisrael.com/critically-wounded-pilot-downed-in-syria-strike-walks-out-of-hospital Critically yriawounded pilot downed in Syria strike walks out of hospital] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308165527/https://www.timesofisrael.com/critically-wounded-pilot-downed-in-syria-strike-walks-out-of-hospital/ |date=2018-03-08 }} By TOI STAFF,
18 February 2018
</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/pilot-of-downed-f-16-jet-regains-consciousness-taken-off-respirator/|title=Pilot of downed F-16 jet regains consciousness, taken off respirator|date=11 February 2018|work=Times of Israel|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213080808/https://www.timesofisrael.com/pilot-of-downed-f-16-jet-regains-consciousness-taken-off-respirator/|archive-date=13 February 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

On April 14, 2018, the Syrian Air Defences claimed to repel [[2018 missile strikes against Syria|massive US, British and French missile strike]] on Syrian military facilities. Three civilians were injured, among civilians and military none.<ref> {{Cite news|title=Defense Department: The real targets of the US strike on Syria were military facilities|url=http://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/5131781|work=TASS|accessdate=2018-04-17|language =russian}}</ref> The SyADF used 112 anti-aircraft missiles, hitting 71 targets out of 103 (according to the [[Russian Ministry of Defense|Russian MoD]]). To repel the attack, the following complexes were used: S-125, S-200, Buk, Kub, Osa, Strela-10 and Pantsir S-1.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/ru/%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BC%D1%8B-%D0%B4%D0%BD%D1%8F/s-9119|title=Новости и аналитика о Германии, России, Украине, Европе, мире – DW|website=dw.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Russia uses Tomahawks that crashed in Syria to improve air defense system|first=Alexander|last=Peshkov| url=https://tvzvezda.ru/news/opk/content/201804251259-xfy5.htm|work=Zvezda TV Channel|accessdate=14 May 2022}}</ref>

On the night of May 10, 2018, Israel launched a large scale air attack on multiple, alleged Iranian targets in Syria. After being engaged by the SyADF, the Israeli aircraft attacked and destroyed a [[Pantsir missile system|Pantsir-S1]] launcher, as well as several other anti-aircraft systems (SA5, SA2, SA22, SA17).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://theaviationist.com/2018/05/10/the-israeli-air-force-has-just-released-a-video-of-a-pantsir-s1-air-defense-system-being-struck-in-last-night-attack-in-syria/ |title=The Israeli Air Force Has Just Released A Video Of A Pantsir-S1 Air Defense System Being Struck In Last Night's Attack In Syria |date=10 May 2018 |access-date=2018-05-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513125921/https://theaviationist.com/2018/05/10/the-israeli-air-force-has-just-released-a-video-of-a-pantsir-s1-air-defense-system-being-struck-in-last-night-attack-in-syria/ |archive-date=2018-05-13 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On September 17, 2018, four Israeli F-16s engaged targets in the Syrian port city of Latakia, to which Syrian Air Defences responded. During the Israeli attack, a Russian Il-20 aircraft [[Syria missile strikes (September 2018)|was mistakenly destroyed]] by an S-200 missile launched by the SyADF. All fifteen crewmembers of the Il-20 died as a result.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-rare-move-idf-admits-syria-strike-expresses-sorrow-over-russian-plane/|title=In rare move, IDF admits Syria strike, expresses sorrow over Russian plane|newspaper=The Times of israel|date=18 September 2018|access-date=18 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919115950/https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-rare-move-idf-admits-syria-strike-expresses-sorrow-over-russian-plane/|archive-date=19 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/09/18/russianmilitaryjetvanishes-radar-syria/|title=Russia blames Israel for friendly fire attack on its aircraft by Syria which killed 15 servicemen|first1=Josie|last1=Ensor|first2=Alec|last2=Luhn|newspaper=The Telegraph |date=18 September 2018|via=www.telegraph.co.uk|access-date=21 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921011912/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/09/18/russianmilitaryjetvanishes-radar-syria/|archive-date=21 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Russian military claimed, Israeli Air Force pilots took shelter behind the IL-20, this exposing the Russian aircraft to the Syrian missile attack.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/russia-plane-shot-down-syria-accident-france-israel-war-us-kremlin-a8542401.html|title=Syria shot down Russian military reconnaissance plane, admits Kremlin|website=[[Independent.co.uk]] |date=18 September 2018 |access-date=18 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918125145/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/russia-plane-shot-down-syria-accident-france-israel-war-us-kremlin-a8542401.html|archive-date=18 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

In February and March 2020, Turkey Air force F-16 fighters and combat UAVs launched airstrikes on Syrian Army positions in Greater Idlib region in retaliation for the [[2020 Balyun airstrikes|Balyun Airstrike]]. Syrian Air Defence Forces stated they succeeded in shooting down 13 Turkish combat UAVs, including 7 Bayraktar TB2 and 6 TAI Anka.<ref>{{Cite web|title=In Photos: Turkish Combat Drone Shot Down By Syrian Army In Greater Idlib New-2020-Top News-Latest News-Breaking News|url=http://remmont.com/158652/|date=2020-03-04|website=LATEST NEWS|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-17}}</ref>

On July 19, 2021, four F-16 fighter jets of the Israeli Air Force entered Syria’s airspace via the US-controlled al-Tanf zone and fired eight guided missiles at an area southeast of Syria’s Aleppo. Vadim Kulit, deputy chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria, claimed that seven missiles were downed by the Russian-made Pantsir-S and Buk-M2 systems of the Syrian Air Defence Forces.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tass.com/defense/1315969|title = Russian Pantsir-S and Buk-M2 systems intercept seven missiles fired by Israeli fighter jet}}</ref> 

In the evening of 27 July 2021, a drone was launched by militants from the Kafer-Khattar community in the Idlib Province. The militant drone was downed over the Hama Province by the Syrian Air Defence who used a Russia-produced Pantsir-S missile system, Kulit claimed the next day.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tass.com/defense/1320523|title = Syria's air defense uses Pantsyr-S to down drone launched by militants}}</ref> Syrian Air Defence forces shot down 22 missiles fired by Israel into Syria using Russian-made Buk-M2E and Pantsir-S systems, Rear Adm. Vadim Kulit said on 20 August 2021. 

Syrian Air Defence forces shot down twenty-one out of twenty-four missiles fired by Israel into Syria using Russian-made Buk-M2E and Pantsir-S systems, Rear Adm. Vadim Kulit said on September 3, 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tass.com/defense/1333959|title = Syrian air defense downs 21 out of 24 missiles fired by Israeli fighter jets}}</ref> Syrian Air Defence forces shot down 8 out of 12 missiles fired by Israel in Syria using Russian-made Pantsir-S systems, Rear Adm. Vadim Kulit said on 08.10.2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2021/1011/092064784/detail.shtml |title=ЦАМТО / / "Панцирь-С" уничтожил восемь ракет, выпущенных Израилем по Сирии |publisher=Armstrade.org |date= |accessdate=2022-03-09}}</ref> Syrian Air Defence forces shot down ten out of twelve missiles fired by Israel into Syria using Russian-made Buk-M2E and Pantsir-S systems, Rear Adm. Vadim Kulit said on November 24, 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tass.com/defense/1365923|title=Russian Defense Ministry: Israeli fighter jets launch missile strike on Syria from Lebanon|work=TASS|date=24 November 2022}}</ref>

On 13 May 2022, the Israeli Air Force launched attacks on SAA positions on Masyaf killing 5 people including one civilian,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/5/13/israel-fires-missiles-at-central-syrian-town-killing-5-reports|title=Israel fires missiles at central Syrian town, killing 5: Reports|work=[[Al Jazeera English|Aljazeera]]|date=13 May 2022}}</ref> the attack destroyed one Pantsir-S1 system.<ref>{{cite tweet |author=Levant 24|user=Levant_24_ |number=1525590617350340608 |date=  May 13, 2022 |title=Regime loyalists reported Israeli airstrikes in the vicinity of Masyaf in northern Syria. https://twitter.com/Levant_24_/status/1525590617350340608 |language=en |access-date=May 15, 2022}}</ref> On 25 August and 17 September 2022, new attacks were reportedly partly repelled by Syrian Pantsir-S1, Buk-M2E and S-75 systems.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://tass.com/defense/1498887 | title=Russia says Russian-made air defenses in Syria shot down some Israeli missiles, bombs }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://tass.com/defense/1509307 | title=Syrian forces repel Israel's nighttime attack using Russian-made air defense systems }}</ref>

On December 25, 2023, the Israeli Air Force carried out an airstrike in the [[Sayyidah Zaynab|Sayyida Zeinab]] area, southeast of Damascus, resulting in the killing of [[Razi Mousavi]], the Iranian [[IRGC]] officer in Syria. The Syrian Air Defence Force was unsuccessful in intercepting the missile.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-25 |title=Air strike kills Iranian commander in Syria |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67820538 |access-date=2023-12-25 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://amwaj.media/article/inside-story-airstrike-kills-iran-s-most-influential-commander-in-syria|title=Inside story: Airstrike kills Iran’s 'most influential' commander in Syria|website=Amwaj.media}}</ref> 

After the fall of the Assad regime, Israel conducted air strikes of strategic targets in Syria, eliminating its air defence and strategic surface-to-air missiles as Israel saw Syrian air defense systems one of the most powerful in the Middle East.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Israel readies for strikes as Trump’s ‘maximum pressure 2.0’ targets Iran’s nuclear threat – the details |url=https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/news-bulletin-reports/824418/israel-readies-for-strikes-as-trumps-maximum-pressure-20-targets-irans/en |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=LBCIV7 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Israel seizing on Syria chaos to strike military assets |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdx921zreweo |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> 

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===

*{{cite book |last1=Cordesman |first1=Anthony H. |title=The Military Balance in the Middle East |date=2004 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing USA |isbn=978-0-313-02676-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dHrDEAAAQBAJ |language=en}}
*{{cite book |last1=Cordesman |first1=Anthony H |last2=Nerguizian |first2=Aram |last3=Popescu |first3=Inout C. |title=Israel and Syria: The Military Balance and Prospects of War |date=2008 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing USA |isbn=978-0-313-35521-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ooDDEAAAQBAJ&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&printsec=frontcover&pg=PA183&dq=syrian+air+defense+command&hl=pt-BR&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=syrian%20air%20defense%20command&f=false |language=en}}
*{{cite book |editor1-last=Collelo |editor1-first=Thomas |title=Syria: a country study |date=1988 |publisher=Federal Research Division, Library of Congress : For sale by the Supt. of Docs., U.S. G.P.O., 1988. |location=Washington, D.C. |edition=3rd |url=https://archive.org/details/syriacountrystud00coll_1}}
* {{Cite report |title=The Military Balance 2023 |author=International Institute for Strategic Studies |date=2023 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=9781032508955 |issn=0459-7222 |author-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies |ref={{SfnRef|IISS|2023}} |editor-last=Hackett |editor-first=James}}
* {{Cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/syria/airforce-equipment.htm|title=Syria - Air Force Equipment |last=Pike|first=John|website=www.globalsecurity.org|year=2018|access-date=2018-09-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504013347/https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/syria/airforce-equipment.htm|archive-date=2018-05-04|url-status=live}}

==Further reading==
* Kenneth M. Pollack, Arabs at War: Military Effectiveness 1948-91, University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln and London, 2002, and Pollack's book reviewed in ''[[International Security]]'', Vol. 28, No.2.

{{Syrian security forces}}
{{Syria topics}}

[[Category:Air defence forces]]
[[Category:Military of Syria]]
[[Category:Air forces by country|Syria]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 2024]]