North Korea Said to Aid Iranian Missile Projects, Including Ghadr
November 21, 2005 :: UPI :: News
The UPI news agency quotes an Iranian dissident group on the continued aid to Iran’s missile programs from such sources as North Korea. The official cited mentions both the Shahab-3 and the longer range Ghadr ballistic missile programs.
Tehran is building nuclear-warhead capable missiles with help from North Korean experts in a vast underground complex, Iranian opposition sources said Monday.
The project was initiated at the end of the Iran-Iraq war in 1989. The plan involves dozens of immense tunnels and facilities built under the mountains near Tehran.
“North Korean experts have cooperated with the Tehran regime in the design and building of this complex,” said Alireza Jafarzadeh, president of Strategic Policy Consulting, and a former representative of the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq. “Many blueprints of the site have been prepared by North Korean experts.”
Hemmat Industries Group Factory, the most important branch of Iran’s Aerospace Industries Group is currently building Shahab-1, Shahab-2, Shahab-3 and Ghadar missiles, according to Jafarzadeh. Shahab-3 and Ghadar missiles have nuclear warhead capability.
“Shahab-3 missiles are being manufactured in large numbers, and are already part of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards arsenal,” Jafarzadeh told United Press International. The Ghadar missile is still in the production stage, and is 70 percent complete. Shahab-3 has a range of 1,300 to 1,900 km (800-1,100 miles) and Ghadar has a range of 2,500 to 3,000 km (1,150-1,850 miles).
Working in utmost secrecy Hemmat Industries Group have been allocated code numbers. Movahed Industries, codenamed 7,500, builds the body of the missile and does final assembly. Karimi Industries, the most secretive part of the program, codenamed 2500, builds the warhead.
This group is located in the largest tunnel at the Khojir complex deep inside the Khojir and Bar Jamali Mountain. The tunnel is about 1,000 meters (yards) long, 12 meters wide. Iran has refused to allow U.N. inspectors to visit the military sites where much of the nuclear weapons work is reported to be conducted.
Information obtained by Jafarzadeh from source in Iran indicate that A.Q. Khan traveled to Iran in 1987 where he met with three top commanders of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards who were working at the time on nuclear research. The IRGC delegation was headed by Brig. Gen. Mohammad Eslami.
(Article, Link)
» More stories on: Iran, North Korea, Proliferation
Russians Said to Proliferate Stolen German Missile Tech to Syria, Iran
November 5, 2005 :: AFP :: News
The German news magazine “Focus” reports on November 5 that the Berlin government has warned German defense industry that certain Russian criminals have been transferring German technology to Iran and Syria.
Apparently, high-quality technology, which is sold to Russian companies in good faith, goes directly to Iranian or Syrian missile workshops.
Using Moscow as a hub, the Tehran regime, in particular, is increasingly purchasing German top products for the expansion of its arsenals of weapons of mass destruction. Measuring devices, as well as drive and control systems for the so-called Shahab-3 programme, are mostly made in Germany: the new missile, which is to be equipped with nuclear warheads, with an envisaged range of 3,500 km, could hit also European targets precisely.
The present “early warning letter” to the German industry, which is based mainly on information from the Federal Intelligence Service [Bundesnachrichtendienst], mentions 15 companies in Moscow, St Petersburg, and Samara that are regarded as procurers for Iranian arms manufacturers. An institute at Moscow Technical University is also among the addresses that are used as cover.
Syria, also served via Russia, needs the German technology for its old Scud missiles, which are primarily aimed at Israel. At present, there is a high demand for systems to improve target accuracy.
(Article, Link)
» Text of Focus report on Russian transfers
» More stories on: Iran, Proliferation, Russia, Syria
Reports: Russia Aiding Iran’s Advanced Missile Programs
October 16, 2005 :: News
The London Telegraph carried a front page story which has since become rather controversial, repeating reports that Russia has actively aiding Iran’s ballistic missile programs, supplying them with production facilities, diagrams, and operating instructions. Some aid is also said to have come from North Korea, via Russians, from the North Korean missile program which are said to be based on the Soviet/Russian SS-N-6 missile. The story comes as Condoleezza Rice met with Russian officials about that country’s aid to Iran’s nuclear program. From the Telegraph:
The Russians are acting as go-betweens with North Korea as part of a multi-million pound deal they negotiated between Teheran and Pyongyang in 2003. It has enabled Teheran to receive regular clandestine shipments of top secret missile technology, believed to be channeled through Russia.
Western intelligence officials believe that the technology will enable Iran to complete development of a missile with a range of 2,200 miles, capable of hitting much of Europe. It is designed to carry a 1.2-ton payload, sufficient for a basic nuclear device.
The revelation raises the stakes in the confrontation between Iran’s Islamic regime and the West - led by the United States and European countries including Britain.
…Iran’s longest-range missile is the Shahab 3, which, with an 800-mile range, could hit Israel. The North Korean deal will allow the Iranian missile to reach targets far into Europe - including Rome, Berlin, and much of France.
North Korea has developed a missile, the Taepo Dong 2, that could reach America’s west coast, based on the submarine-launched Soviet SSN6. Modifications allow it to be fired from a land-based transporter and this technology is being smuggled to Teheran with Russian help.
Russians have provided production facilities, diagrams and operating instruction so the missile can be built in Iran. Liquid propellant has been shipped to Iran. Russian specialists have also been sent to Iran to help development of its Shahab 5 missile project, which the Iranians hope to have operational by the end of the decade.
Such reports about Russian proliferation to Iran are, however, nothing new, and the sensation generated is probably as much due to the timing than the substance.
Russian news agencies Interfax and RIA-Novosti reported Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov calling the Telegraph report “delirium, nonsense,” and saying Russia aims “to observe scrupulously the non-proliferation regime.” (More »»»)
» Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov denies
» Parliament member Kosachev denies
» Pravda: experts differ on Iran missile proliferation connection
» More stories on: Iran, Proliferation, Russia
Iran Parades Missiles
September 22, 2005 :: News
Iran conducted a military parade today to mark the anniversary of the start of the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war, the beginning of what Iran calls “holy defense” week. The parade took place conducted south of Tehran, near the tomb of Ayatollah Khomeini. At his first military parade since taking office, President Mamhoud Ahmadinejad addressed dozens of top Revolutionary Guard officials, as well as generals in the regular army. (The Revolutionary Guard operates Iran’s ballistic missiles.)“Those who decide to misuse our nation’s honour and dignity and want to test what has been tested in the past, should know that the flames of the nation’s wrath are very hot and destructive,” said Ahmadinejad. The parade’s announcer repeatedly cried “God is Great!” when six Shahab-3 missiles went past the presidential viewing platform. The announcer said too, “If world arrogance wants to attack Iran … [it] will destroy their countries with these missiles.” Some of the missiles had banners saying, “Israel should be wiped off the map” and “We will trample America under our feet,” “Death to America,” and “Death to Israel.” The banners and verbal attacks prompted a number of European military attaches, from France, Italy, Greece, and Poland, to leave the parade. One diplomat is quoted as saying, “there was a common position among the European Union members that, if the military parade included any slogans that attacked our allies, we would leave.”
The major media services report the display of the Shahab-3, but there were a number of others. According to a summary of the parade provided on live Iranian television (Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran Network 1) and translated via BBC Monitoring, the missiles displayed included:
- Shahab-3, 2,000km range
- Zelzal 1 and Zelzal 2, range 150-400
- M-11 Variant/Tondar-68, purchased from China, range 400km
- Nazeat
- “M-6”(see below)
- HQ-2 air-/missile-defense system, purchased from China
The reference to an “M-6” missile may well be a typographical error. It more likely refers to the M-9 variant, which Iran purchased from China. The term “Nazeat,” however, has been used to describe a primitive 150km range missile.
- M-9 missile, range 600km, purchased from China
Summary of parade provided by Iranian television: (More »»»)
» AFP Summary of parade
» Iranian TV account of parade, via BBC Monitoring
» More stories on: China, Chinese Missile Defenses, Iran, Proliferation
» Missile details: M-9 variant, M-11 variant, Shahab-6, Zelzal-1/2/3
» Missile system details for: Hongqi-2 (HQ-2)
China to Develop 150km-range Missiles with Indonesia
August 5, 2005 :: BBC Worldwide Monitoring :: News
Indonesia’s Defence Minister Juwono Sudarsono announced in Jakarta that Indonesia and China would work together to develop 150-km range missiles and rockets as part of a strategic partnership, reports the Indonesian Antara news agency. This transfer of missile technology was a part of cooperation agreements signed between the two countries in April, he said. A range of 150 km is relatively modest; such was the range of missiles in excess of which Iraq was (nominally) prohibited by the United Nations. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: China, Proliferation
Japan Suspects North Korea-Iran Link
June 30, 2005 :: News
Japan is worried that Iran has leaked high-tech cruise missile technology to North Korea, reports the Japanese daily Sankei Shimbun. At issue is a shipment of Kh-55 cruise missiles that Iran received from the Ukraine in 2001. The Kh-55, which was developed in the late 1970s in the former Soviet Union, has a range of 3,000 km (1,864 miles), enough to threaten all of Japan if deployed by North Korea. Japan is concerned that Iran has transferred the technology to North Korea, which might be able to arm the Kh-55 missiles with nuclear warheads. Sankei Shimbun quotes a Japanese Defense Ministry source as saying about Iran and North Korea, “They are linked by a network beneath the surface regarding the development of weapons of mass destruction.” (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Cruise Missile Defenses, Iran, North Korea, Proliferation
MTCR Meeting with Pakistan
June 2, 2005 :: Kyodo :: News
Kyodo News Service reports that a delegation from the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) recently held talks with a Pakistani delegation on Pakistan’s missile program. The MTCR, created in the late 1980s, prohibits countries from trading in ballistic missile technology, especially those missiles with a range of 350 kilometers or greater. Pakistan has not yet signed the MTCR, although it claims to adhere to the general principles of nonproliferation. The MTCR previously sent a delegation to Pakistan in 2003. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Pakistan, Proliferation
U.S. Intercepts Nuclear Material Bound for North Korea and Iran
June 1, 2005 :: Bloomberg :: News
The U.S. and its allies have intercepted 11 shipments of nuclear materials bound for North Korea and Iran. According to the State Department, the successful interdictions were carried out by the Proliferation Security Initiative, a two-year program started by President Bush that has the support of 60 nations. At present, the U.S. is withholding specific details of the interdictions to ensure continued cooperation from countries that do not otherwise wish their participation made public. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Iran, North Korea, Proliferation
Glick: U.S. Could Suspend Arrow and THEL Collaboration with Israel
May 18, 2005 :: News
Caroline Glick writes in The Jerusalem Post that the U.S. has reportedly suspended its cooperation with Israel on the Arrow and Tactical High Energy Laser (THEL) missile defense projects. Ms. Glick references an official source quoted by Middle East Newsline as saying of the pullback from military cooperation, “It’s all about China.”
Israel is the largest exporter of high-tech weapons to China. The Pentagon fears that China could, among other things, use its Israeli weapons against U.S. forces in a future Taiwan conflict. Glick notes that Israel should stop arming the Chinese or risk damaging its strategic relationship with the U.S. She also notes that by arming China, Israel is actually helping its regional enemies. China of course also exports weapons to Iran and Pakistan. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Allies, China, Israel, Proliferation
» Missile system details for: Tactical High Energy Laser (THEL)
Report: North Korea Could Market Frog Missile
May 12, 2005 :: Geostrategy-Direct :: News
North Korea may be planning to offer for export to the Middle East an upgraded—but nevertheless simple—missile which North Korea is believed to have recently tested, on May 1.
The FROG-7 missile is of Soviet-origin. North Korea is believed to have increased its range and accuracy, possibly tripling its previous range of 70km, according to Geostrategy-Direct. The source of the report of a planned sale, however, is unclear.
The significance of a FROG missile sale would be relatively minor given North Korea’s willingness to proliferate more advanced systems and technologies. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: North Korea, Proliferation
» Missile details: FROG-7B
