New satellite imagery, provided through Stratfor's partnership with AllSource Analysis, shows at least 16 combat aircraft stationed at the Bassel al Assad air base near the Syrian city of Latakia. Construction on the base continues, and the persistent deployment of combat helicopters and other military assets to the airfield has given the Russians a significant military capability in Syria. Russia had deployed four multirole fighter aircraft to the air base by Sept. 18. The jets were identified by imagery experts at AllSource Analysis as Su-30s, on account of the canards — small, wing-like control surfaces positioned on the fuselage near the nose of the aircraft — visible in the satellite imagery. Previous U.S. intelligence leaks picked up by the media incorrectly identified the aircraft as Su-27s. The latest image, taken Sept. 20, also shows the arrival of 12 smaller aircraft, likely Su-25 ground-attack aircraft.