The Russian Government has approved the sale of a P-800 Yakhont anti-ship missile to the Syrian Navy.

Russian presidential aide Sergei Prikhodko said the Russian Federation would remain committed to all agreements signed between two countries.

The P-800 has a range of 300km, contains a 200kg warhead, and is capable of skimming the sea and avoiding radars, according to the World Tribune.

The missile sale is based on a study of its affect on the military balance with Israel and is not directed against any third party, Prikhodko said.

The Yakhont deal is part of an agreement by Damascus for the Russian Navy to expand its presence in the Syrian ports of Latakia and Tartous.

The Syrian Navy is currently using the Chinese C-802 anti-ship missile, which has a range of 120km.