Citing remarks by Mikahil Dmitriyev, the head of Russia's federal service of military and technical cooperation, the state-run ITAR Tass news agency said Moscow's sale concerned MiG-29 fighter jets, Pantasir short-range defense systems and armored vehicles.

Details, including the price and terms of the deal, weren't disclosed.

Bonding ties between Syria and Russia have recently unnerved Israel, particularly because of Damascus' close relations Iran, considered a sponsor of international terrorism.

Even so, military analysts in Israel have been quick to ease the nation's security concerns over the latest sale saying the combat aircraft in question posed little, if not any threat to the Jewish state because they lacked in offensive capabilities.

Earlier this year, Moscow confirmed it was supplying Syria with MiG-31 combat aircraft under a deal signed in 2007 for the provision of at least four such aircraft. At the time, the Russian daily Kommersant reported that the $1 billion deal also included the sale of an undisclosed number of MiG-29s.

"They are being sold abroad for the first time and are similar in their technical specifications to the MiG-35 model Russia is now offering India," the daily had reported.

Officials on both sides, though, have declined to elaborate.

Still, The Jerusalem Post reported this year that none of the MiG-31 planes had been delivered because work on the jet fighters at United Aircraft's Sokol plant in the Russian city of Nizhny Novgorod had been suspended in response to strenuous objections by Israel and lack of funds by Damascus.

Code-named Foxhound, the MiG-31 can fly three times the speed of sound and engage several targets at a range of up to 110 miles simultaneously.

That capability, say Israeli experts, makes the aircraft suitable for surveillance runs but not for offensive purposes. Still, the MiG-29 can act as an interceptor.

By some accounts, including a recent report by the Defense Industry Daily, the deal is being financed by Iran as what is being called "a back-door purchase."

The controversial deal which has also unnerved the United States, marks Syria's first purchase of fighter aircraft in more than 20 years.

Adding to concerns, though, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev paid his first visit as head of state to Damascus last week, saying the use of nuclear energy "may get a second wind" in Syria. The remark, suggesting potential nuclear cooperation with Syria, prompted fresh concerns in Tel Aviv and Washington, which recently renewed sanctions against Damascus for allegedly supporting terrorist groups.

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