Iran Upgrading Range of Shahab-3
February 25, 2004 :: Middle East Newsline :: News
Iran’s highly effective Shahab-3 will not only be marketed to other countries such as Syria, but will also be undergoing some significant enhancments to extend its range. The Shahab-3 currently reaches some 1,300km, but the improvements could extend that to 1,600km, according to the Middle East Newsline. The upgrades would, it is reported, substitute for Iran’s Shahab-4 development program. However, there are already indications that a form of the Shahab-4 has already been deployed and put into service in 2003. (Article, Link)
» Shahab-3 details
» Shahab-4 details
» More stories on: Iran, Proliferation, Technology
» Missile details: Shahab-6, Small ICBM
Tenet Testimony: North Korea Continues Ballistic Missile Advances
February 24, 2004 :: CIA :: News
Director of Central Intelligence George Tenet testified before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence as to the nature and extent of terrorism and the proliferation of ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction. In general, he noted that the “picture is changing before our eyes—-changing at a rate I have not seen since the end of the Cold War.” After noting the continued efforts of terrorists such as Al Qaeda to acquire ballistic missiles and WMDs, Tenet went on to roughly outline the major capabilities and proliferation activities of India, Pakistan, Syria, and Iran, but devoted particular attention to three “pivotal states” of concern: China, Russia, and North Korea. (More »»»)
» More stories on: China, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Proliferation, Russia, Syria, Terrorism
Despite Chinese Pressure, Chen Resolute: Taiwan BMD Regardless of March Referendum Outcome
February 19, 2004 :: Taipei Times :: News
Taiwan will proceed with the planned purchase of three American made Patriot missile interceptors regardless of the outcome of the March 20 referendum, according to a statement by President Chen. One of the questions voters will be asked is whether or not they think Taiwan should increase its defenses against Chinese missiles if China does not withdraw their buildup near the Strait. Cabinet Spokesman Lin Chia-lung commented that the $15 billion special budget would go towards eight diesel-engine submarines, 12 P-3C Orion aircraft, three PAC-3 missile defense systems, and four Kidd-class destroyers that US President George W. Bush promised to sell to Taipei three years ago.
The Taipei Times refers to a position paper recently made by the Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense. The position paper notes that China continues to refuse to renounce the option of using force to compel the island nation to accept rule by mainland Communist China. The Times cites the position paper as saying that China has over “100 strategic ballistic missiles armed with nuclear warheads that can strike any country in the world.” These are in addition, of course, to the 500 tactical ballistic missiles armed with multiple high explosive warheads off the coast of Taiwan, the number of which is increasing at a rate of about 75 per year: over 600 are estimated to be in place by 2005. Moreover, the paper notes that China’s various missiles are able to be fired from anywhere at sea, around the globe. (Article, Link)
» Update: Mar. 4, 2004: Chinese Parliament calls Taiwan President Chen “Immoral,” warns independence will not be tolerated
» More stories on: China, Proliferation, Taiwan
China Launches Anti-Chen Campaign in Anticipation of March Referendum
February 9, 2004 :: CNN :: News
As the March 20 referendum on whether Taiwan should respond to China’s missile buildup with defensive measures, China has apparently launched an anti-Chen campaign, against the president up for reelection on the same date. Officially, China denies such meddling, but they are sending diplomats to put pressure on the leader. China’s bully tactics seem to have thus far not been unsuccessful, already prompting Chen to water down the referendum language. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: China, Proliferation, Taiwan
Myers: “Very Large” Chinese Missile Buildup a Threat to Taiwan
January 15, 2004 :: Spacewar.com :: News
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Richard Myers did not allow his visit to China to go without rebuking his guest for their “very large” missile buildup within range of Taiwan, and indicated that the United States might assist the island nation defend itself from mainland aggression. An assessment of his condemnation, however, requires one to pay close attention to its timing with recent events. (More »»»)
» Text of Chen’s speech, with revised, more “flexible,” resolution language
» Dec. 3: Nearly 500 Chinese missiles off the coast of Taiwan
» Gen. Bergert: China has made “significant” improvements in ability to strike Taiwan with missiles and by air
» More stories on: Allies, China, Proliferation, Taiwan
Russia Deploys New Regiment of Topol-M SS-27 ICBMs; More Advanced Missiles Yet to Come
December 21, 2003 :: London Guardian :: News
On Sunday, December 21, Russia’s Strategic Rocket Forces formally deployed a new regiment of six silo-based Topol-M (SS-27) intercontinental ballistic missiles, armed with a single warhead each. Announcement of the deployment comes just ten days after a test of the SS-N-30 SLBM. The deployment supplements three additional regiments at the Tatishchevo base, bringing the total number of operationally deployed Topol-M missiles to 36. Tatishchevo is located in the Saratov region, in the southwest part of Russia, next to Kazakstan. (More »»»)
» November 11: Janes: Fifth Topol-M deployment anticipated
» Xinhau: Putin: Russia will maintain strategic momentum
» Map and information for Tatishchevo missile base in Saratov
» More stories on: Proliferation, Russia
» Missile details: SS-N-6
Russia to Retain Heavy SS-18s another 10-15 Years
December 17, 2003 :: London Guardian :: News
Missiles previously slated to be destroyed under the now obsolete START II Treaty will continue to be an important part of Russia’s massive offensive nuclear arsenal for another ten to fifteen years, commented top general Nikolai Solovtsov, chief of the country’s Strategic Missile Forces. “SS-18” and “Satan” are the Western designations for the missiles known in Russia as R-36.
This comment yet again confirms two things. First, that Russia is as intent as ever in maintaining a heavy nuclear offensive force—designed particularly against the United States—at levels on par with the United States. And second, that the recent Strategic Offensive Arms Reduction (SORT) Treaty permits cash-strapped Russia to do so at cost effective measures, such as extending the life of their older arsenal and thus postponing the need for heavier expenditures to produce large numbers of more modern systems, such as the SS-27. (Article, Link)
» December 5: Update on Russian Testing of SS-18 and SS-19
» More stories on: Proliferation, Russia
» Missile details: SS-19 Mod 2, SS-20
President Chen: 496 Chinese Missiles Aimed at Taiwan
December 3, 2003 :: Taipei Times :: News
Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian released more detailed information on the location and number of China’s short and medium range ballistic missiles positioned within range of the small island. According to Chen, China has deployed 96 missiles each in Leping and Ganxian of Jiangxi Province, Meizhou of Guangdong Province, as well as 144 in Yongan and 64 in Xianyou of Fujian Province.
These numbers slightly exceed those reported by the recent Department of Defense report, Chinese Military Power, which set the number at 450 and their rate of increase at 75 per year.
Chen’s release of information and warning of China’s “the ongoing threat to Taiwan” comes after a stern U.S. warning to Taiwan not to hold a referendum declaring independence from mainland Communist China. Some of Chen’s political opponents suggest the information release is being calculated to support such a referendum on sovereignty with the next presidential election, on March 20, 2004. (Article, Link)
» Center for Security Policy: U.S. Policy Shift?
» DOD Report on Chinese Military Power
» Bush April 25, 2001: U.S. will do “whatever it takes” to defend Taiwan
» China threatens Taiwan over referendum
» More stories on: China, Proliferation, Taiwan
Iraq Planned 1,000km Ballistic Missiles
November 5, 2003 :: Jane's Information Group :: News
The authoritative Jane’s Missiles and Rockets magazine reports that Iraq was planning to develop ballistic missiles with ranges of at least 1,000 kilometers, far beyond the 150 km limit imposed by United Nations resolutions after the first Gulf War. Citing the interim report by David Kay of the Iraq Survey Group (ISG) to the U.S. Congress, those in charge of the missile production were ordered by Saddam Hussein to design and build them within six months. The original original requirement issued in 2000 was to produce a 400-500km-range missile, but by 2002 had been increased to 600-1,000km.
Even while United Nations (UNMOVIC) inspectors were in the country, work apparently continued into early 2003 to convert the Russian S-75 (SA-2 ‘Guideline’) surface-to-air missiles into ballistic (surface-to-surface) missiles with a range of 250km. Previous plans along these lines existed prior to the 1991 Gulf war with conversions of the S-75 to the Al Fahd 300 and 500. Similar modifications, reports Janes, with the S-125 (SA-3 ‘Goa’) as the Baraq missile, and the Kub (SA-6 ‘Guideline’) as the Kasir missile.
Evidence was also found of two Iraqi cruise missile programmes, based on the Chinese HY-2 coastal-defence cruise missile. The two programs were the Al Faw and the Jenin, with planned ranges of 150-180, and 1000km, respectively.
The ISG also found papers documenting efforts to purchase missiles and missile technology from North Korea, which included the technology for missiles with a range of 1,300km—likely, says Janes, related to the No-Dong. (Link)
» David Kay statement to House and Senate select subcommittees
» More stories on: Iraq, Proliferation
Russia to Deploy Fifth Topol-M Ballistic Missile Regiment
November 1, 2003 :: Jane's Information Group :: News
Janes Missiles and Rockets reports that Russia will be deploying a fifth regiment of the Topol-M ICBMs. The regiment will have the RS-12M2 Topol-M (SS-X-27) and is set to become operational in December 2003.
According to Janes, Russia’s original plan to deploy one additional Topol-M regiment every year, to replace the older SS-17 and SS-18s, was not feasible—hence, one may infer, the recent testing and announcements to extend the service lives of the SS-17s and SS-18s for as much as fifteen years. The rate is now set to about one every 24-30 months. (Link)
» More stories on: Proliferation, Russia
» Missile details: SS-N-6
