Australia, United States, Sign 25 Year Missile Defense Pact
July 7, 2004 :: Department of Defense :: News
The United States and Australia today signed in Washington a memorandum of understanding which describes Australia’s future cooperation in missile defense.
Areas of cooperation include technological transfer, and the use of long range “over the horizon” land-based radars in Australia, such as the DUNDEE project most recently tested in April, as well as the giving to Australia ship-based radars and interception capabilities, such as the Aegis system. (More »»»)
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Australia in for Missile Defense
June 19, 2004 :: Washington Times :: News
Australia has now committed to missile defense, and will sign a memorandum of understanding with the US in July, concerning its participation, said Australian Defense Minister Robert Hill. Australia will initially be involved with various land- and sea-based “over the horizon” radars for missile defense, potentially directed, most likely, at North Korea and China. (Article, Link)
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GCC-U.S. Joint Exercises Tackle Missile Defense
June 14, 2004 :: Defense News :: News
The Iranian Shahab-3 ballistic missile threat was the focus of a joint American-Arab missile defense exercise in the United Arab Emirates last month. The exercise, called Eagle Resolve-2004, was sponsored by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to demonstrate the need and utility “for low-level and high-level anti-ballistic missile batteries deployed along the coastline from Kuwait all the way down to Oman,” a senior GCC officer told Defense News.
Both sides said the exercise, which sought better coordination and interoperability in GCC-U.S. air defense efforts, was successful. The U.S. currently deploys Patriot interceptors to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain, but only Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are able to intercept missiles on their own. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are also in talks with Raytheon to acquire the more accurate and longer-range PAC-3 model. (Link)
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» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3), Patriot
Egypt Also Interested in Patriot
June 2, 2004 :: Middle East Newsline :: News
Egypt is among the many countries anxious to procure the Patriot PAC-3 missile defense program, and will likely do so within the decade. (Article, Link)
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» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
Radar Deal Likely With Denmark, Greenland
May 17, 2004 :: News
Denmark and Greenland are apparently close to closing a deal for the expansion of the Thule Air Base radar in Greenland to be used for the United States missile defense program. The United States hopes to reach an agreement by May 28, according to the Nordic Business Report. (Article, Link)
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Japanese War Scenarios Anticipate Chinese Invasion in Event of Taiwan War
May 15, 2004 :: Japan Times :: News
Documents acquired by the Japanese Kyodo news service show that the Japanese Defense Agency has drawn up plans anticipating an invasion by China during an attack on Taiwan. Japan’s plan in such a scenario would involve the deployment of 7,200 ground troops to Japan’s southernmost islands to deter an invasion of the Okinawa Prefecture.
In particular, the documents mentioned that Miyako and nearby islands are likely to be targeted because of an Air Self-Defence Force radar base and two airports located in the area. China may invade Yonaguni Island, the westernmost part of Japan and 100 km from Taiwan, as a stepping stone to attack Taiwan, the office assumes. It also assumes that China would attack the islands by sea and air, with marine forces landing from assault ships as well as airborne units and special forces attacking ASDF bases and airports with rocket-propelled grenade and other weapons, according to the documents. The office believes that China will deploy 1,400 troops to attack Miyako and Yonaguni islands. If Ishigaki Island is included, the number would total 5,200, the documents say.
(Article, Link)
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Possible U.S.-Japan Joint Laser Program
May 13, 2004 :: News
Japanese Defense Agency Director General Shigeru Ishiba suggested to Japan’s the Lower House Emergency Legislation Special Committee that the country should look into a joint study with the United States to develop aircraft-mounted lasers, reports the Asahi Shimbun newspaper. Such a program would likely parallel or be in conjunction with the United States’ current Airborne Laser (ABL) program.
Japan is also looking into a number of other American missile defense programs, including Patriot, the Aegis sea-based SM-3 missile, and land-based missile radars. It has been suggested that Japan may begin deploying defenses by 2006. (Link)
» More stories on: Air, Allies, High Energy Defenses
South Korea Develops “Cold Launch” Technology
May 10, 2004 :: Xinhua
China’s Xinhua News Agency reports that South Korea has become the second nation, after Russia, to perfect “cold launch” technology, which involves the minimizing of launching flames which serve as a sort of marker for the launching site. (Article, Link)
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Aegis Missile Interceptors May Be Sold to Japan
May 10, 2004 :: Forbes :: News
In addition to deploying a U.S. Aegis cruiser to the Sea of Japan this year, plans to sell sea-based interceptors to Japan are likely to get the go-ahead, according to a news story in Forbes. Japan is expected to purchase nine SM-3 interceptors for its existing Aegis ships. (Article, Link)
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» Missile system details for: Aegis Ship-Based BMD
Japan Planning Missile Purchases, Tests
May 7, 2004 :: News
Japan and the United States have tentatively agreed to conduct a joint, sea-based missile interceptor flight test in late 2005, according to Japan’s Kyodo news, and Inside Missile Defense. The interceptor tested would likely be the Standard Missile-3 (SM-3), deployed on Aegis destroyers.
Moreover, Japan has requested to purchase, according to SpaceDaily, nine SM-3 Block 1A missiles and other upgrades, including to the overall Aegis system, worth up to $725 million. (Article, Link)
» Space Daily on Japan’s purchasing, testing plans
» More stories on: Allies, Sea-Based Systems
» Missile system details for: Aegis Ship-Based BMD
