“35 to 40” Nations with Nuclear Capabilities
October 30, 2003 :: Spacewar.com :: News
As many as 40 nations are estimated to have the capability to produce nuclear weapons, Chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency Chief Mohamed ElBaradei said in an interview. In context of calling for an updated and expanded version of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), ElBaradei noted that “under the current regime, there is nothing illicit for a non-nuclear state to conduct uranium-enriching activities…or even to possess military-grade nuclear material,” he said. If one of these countries should choose to break its commitments under the NPT, it “could produce a weapon in just a few months,” or just as easily transfer materials to terrorist groups.
ElBaradei’s call for increased treaty restrictions may have merit, but only goes so far. Efforts on this front, like those of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), should continue, but be accompanied by vigorous efforts toward deploying missile defenses to prepare for the event if and when treaty measures fail. American security must not depend upon mere parchment barriers. The proliferation of nuclear technology proceeds apace with the proliferation of ballistic missiles. The United States should cooperate with stemming wholesale proliferation, but simultaneously prepare for the perhaps inevitable possession of nuclear armed ballistic missiles by ‘rogue’ states and terrorist groups. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Nuclear Weapons, Proliferation
Russia Refuses to Rule Out Arms Sales to North Korea
October 25, 2003 :: The Chosun Ilbo (S. Korea) :: News
Responding to criticism that Russia has been supplying North Korea with weapons and military technology, Russian Defense Deputy Minister Michael Dmitriev claims that the ties with the Communist country have been suspended, due to North Korea’s poor economic state. While admitting international concerns about this form of aid to North Korea, Dmitriev insisted that “Because the UN’s weapon export prohibitions do not apply to North Korea, we are able to supply North Korea with weapons.” (Article, Link)
» More stories on: North Korea, Proliferation, Russia
North Korea Shipped 400 SCUDs to Middle East
October 23, 2003 :: SpaceDaily :: News
A report released by the South Korean defense ministry claims that North Korea has shipped over 400 SCUD-class ballistic missiles to the Middle East since the 1980s. The biggest buyers were Iran, Iraq, Yemen, and Syria, but also include Egypt and Libya. Increasingly, the Communist government of North Korea continues to rely upon missile exports for its single largest source of currency. Sales have been estimated at around $500 million since the mid-80s. (Article, Link)
» World Tribune on NK missile sales
» More stories on: Iran, North Korea, Proliferation
» Missile details: Scud B variant, Sergeant, Shahab-3
Iskander Upgrades Designed to Outpace Patriot
October 14, 2003 :: Middle East Newsline :: News
One of Russia’s export ballistic missiles, the Iskander-E, which it has marketed to countries such as Syria and Iran, will soon be undergoing upgrades, although still in development. These upgrades are meant to permit the missile to overcome the US PAC-3 Patriot defensive system. The Iskander, also known as the SS-26, carries a single warhead of 480 to 700kg, and has a range of 280km. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Proliferation, Russia
» Missile details: Taep'o-dong 2
» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
Pakistan Tests Shaheen
October 8, 2003 :: Yahoo News :: News
Pakistan has tested its Shaheen-1 ballistic missile, just days after a test launch of the Ghaznavi (Hatf-3). The Shaheen 1 (Hatf-4) is nuclear capable, and has a range of 1,000km, although the AFP reports a range of 700km. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Proliferation, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: Hatf 3, Hatf 4
Putin Orders SS-19 Buildup
October 3, 2003 :: Washington Times :: News
Amidst phasing out the older SS-18 ICBMs, Russian President Putin has now ordered the transfer of dozens of the more advanced SS-19s to combat ready deployment. “I am speaking here about the most menacing missiles, of which we have dozens, with hundreds of warheads,” noted Putin. The SS-19, suited to carry 6 nuclear warheads in MIRV configuration, has a range between 9,000 and 10,000km. (Article, Link)
» Moscow Times: Russia Deploying dozens of ‘banned’ SS-19s
» More stories on: Proliferation, Russia
» Missile details: SS-21 A, SS-21 B
Russian S-300 to go to Vietnam
September 3, 2003 :: Asia Times :: News
Russia appears to have negotiated a deal with Vietnam to purchase its most recent version of the S-300 air and missile defense system, the S300 PMU2. Other sales of the S-300 have included Cyprus and China; although India recently expressed interest as well, they now appear to be favoring the US PAC systems. According to the Asian Times:
The S300 PMU2 uses new 48N6E2 missiles, which weigh 1,800 kilograms and are 7.5 meters long. After a catapult “cold” start in the upright position, the 48N6E2 accelerates up to 1,900 meters a second in 12 seconds, and then hits the target from above. The 48N6E2 differs from the older 48N6E in having a new warhead designed for destroying ballistic missiles, with a warhead weight of 145 kilograms versus 70-100 kilograms. The S300 PMU2 can engage targets flying at altitudes ranging from 10 meters to 27 kilometers at a speed of up to 10,000 kilometers per hour.
(Article, Link)
» More stories on: Proliferation, Russia, Russian Missile Defenses
» Missile system details for: S-300P (SA-10 Grumble)
Russia Purchases SS-19 Boosters from Ukraine
September 1, 2003 :: Jane's Information Group :: News
In July, reports came forward that Russia had been purchasing 130 or 150 SS-19 ICBMs from Ukraine, the balance of the much larger number of those missiles which had been retained in that province after the fall of the Soviet Union.
The September 1 edition of Jane’s Missiles and Rockets reports that Russia is also purchasing 30 first- and second-stage booster stages for the SS-19 missiles, for a price equivalent to 50 million dollars. According to the report, these are the boosters for the RS-18 15A35, known by the Western designations SS-19 and ‘Stiletto’.
According to Janes, the Russian press reports that the programme for this transfer began in October 2002. These missiles, which had apparently been in “dry storage,” will now be transferred and stored in the Strategic Rocket Force facilities at Pibanshur in Udmurtia and Krizolotiovy, and will serve to extend the lives of the SS-19 stockpile. Janes says that the refitting will give the SS-19s an additional 15-20 years of service. (Link)
» More stories on: Proliferation, Russia
» Missile details: SS-21 A, SS-21 B
Sokolski on North Korean Proliferation
August 19, 2003 :: OpinionJournal.com :: Analysis
Henry Sokolski discusses the likely prospect of North Korea proliferating nuclear warheads and more advanced delivery systems to countries like Saudi Arabia, if the upcoming meeting between the U.S., China, North Korea, Japan and South Korea does not defuse the North Korean problem.
Saudi Arabia already has a number of CSS-2 missiles, with a range of 2,400km, which it acquired from China during the early 1990s. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: North Korea, Proliferation
» Missile details: CSS-2, CSS-2A
Ukraine Sells 150 More ICBMs to Russia
July 28, 2003 :: The Moscow Times :: News
When the Soviet Union dissolved in December 1991, Ukraine inherited the third largest arsenal of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. Shortly after 1991, some 1,300 of these were transported to Russia, but 150 SS-19s were retained by the Ukrainian “space agency.”
Ukraine has now sold these ICBMs to Russia, a move which further bolsters the Russian strategic arsenal. The missiles will likely be soon put into service.
The acquisition of the SS-19s serve to replace aging and less advanced SS-18 ICBMs, which Russia recently destroyed with much press attention. The recent SORT Treaty with the United States further reduces the number of nuclear arms to between 1700 and 2200, thereby accomodating a level of nuclear parity which the the flagging Russian economy can support. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Proliferation, Russia
» Missile details: SS-21 A, SS-21 B
