MissileThreat.com

U.S.-Hungary BMD Talks

Hungarian Kossuth Radio today reported that the United States and Hungary are apparently continuing consultations on missile defense cooperation, but no agreement has yet been reached. Hungary may be a possible location for European based interceptors or a NATO radar station. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Allies

Russian General: Nuclear War Still Possible

The Russian Interfax news agency carries a story on the plausibility of future nuclear warfare. Interfax cites Colonel General Aleksandr Ryzhskikh, former deputy commander-in-chief of the Russian Strategic Missile Troops, as saying that nuclear warheads, perhaps with small yields, may well be employed in future wars.

“It is highly likely that nuclear warheads may be employed,” Ryazhskikh told Interfax-Military News Agency on Wednesday [29 December] when asked whether nuclear weapons would be employed in wars or local conflicts in the near future.

“I believe that those will be low-power nuclear warheads, employed in certain terrain areas,” Ryazhskikh said.

 (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Russia

Taiwan: Chinese Military Budget is Three Times Stated Size

Taiwanese defense official Wang Shih-chien commented upon reports of a new Chinese defense white paper which targets Taiwan, reports the Taiwanese Central News Agency.
        Wang noted that Communist China’s national defense budget expenditures have increased every year at a double-digit rate, and added that the current report is incomplete in China’s true military spending. Wang asserted that the actual figure for China’s defense budgets should be three or four times that of the amount published.
        Wang also continued to urge support for Taiwan’s request to purchase from the United States eight diesel-electric submarines, a squadron of 12 P-3C anti-submarine aircraft and six Patriot PAC-3 anti-missile batteries. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: China

Rumsfeld on Deployment Plans

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld recently held a press conference in which he discussed how the missile defense system would likely be deployed.
        Rumsfeld said that we would soon we have “a very modest capability,” and adding that “I don’t know that that’s not true today. I’m not announcing it, but if you, for example, said that there was some reason to—that there was some threat that was evolving and it would be desirable to go out of a test mode and see the extent to which you could be in an operational mode, my impression is it wouldn’t take long to get there.”
        Of additional interest is Rumsfeld’s final comment that at the present time, the administration does not see an urgent threat, and so are not “pressured” to begin deployment soon.
        Rumsfeld also noted that there might not be a formal announcement, or that it might be very low-key: “And I can’t answer your question as to when or if we would have an announcement, but I would guess that the announcement would be very much like what I just said; that we are proceeding, that we have interceptors in the ground, and that each month and each quarter and each year, additional pieces of it will evolve and be added.” (More »»») 

» Dec. 22: DoD transcript of Rumsfeld press conference

» More stories on: Deployment

China: We Will Crush Any Taiwan Independence Attempt

A recent Chinese defense policy paper articulates and affirms the policy that Beijing will crush the small nation of Taiwan if the island publicly declares independence from the Communist mainland. The defense white paper described relations between the two countries as “grim,” and promised that “Should the Taiwan authorities go so far as to make a reckless attempt that constitutes a major incident of ‘Taiwan independence’, the Chinese people and armed forces will resolutely and thoroughly crush it at any cost.” The armed forces have a “sacred responsibility” to do so, it added. The paper comes in the midst of deliberations about an “anti-secession” law which would legally obligate military action in the case of publicly declared independence. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: China, Taiwan

Russia Tests Topol-M

While the West prepares for Christmas, Russia today launched a Topol-M ballistic missile, its last ballistic missile test reportedly scheduled for 2004. It is also the last test of the Topol-M (SS-27) before it is put into full combat service. The land-based missile—the mobile version of which was tested today for the fourth time—was launched from the Plesetsk test site in the northern Arkhangelsk region. It traveled to and successfully hit its target at the Kura testing range on the Kamchatka peninsula.
        This test brings the total number of Russian ICBM/SLBM launches in 2004 to fifteen. They were as follows:

• December 24: SS-27
• December 22: SS-18
• November 2: SS-25, SS-18
• September 8: SS-N-23, SS-N-18
• August 11: SS-19
• June 29: SS-N-23, SS-18
• April 20: SS-27
• March 17: SS-N-23 (2 missiles)
• February 12: SS-19 (2 missiles), SS-27

 (More »»») 

» RIA Novosti description of Topol-M

» More stories on: Russia, Testing - Foreign

» Missile details: SS-27

Riverside Editorial on BMD

The Riverside Press Enterprise newspaper here in California carried a timely editorial articulating the continued need for missile defense and putting into perspective the MDA’s recent attempt at a test, entitled, “Build the shield.”  (More »»») 

» More stories on: Analysis, Policy

Spring on the Need to Deploy

Baker Spring of the Heritage Foundation considers last week’s attempt at a test of the ground based missile defense system, and reminds us how wrong opponents of missile defense have been in the past and still are today, and why we must push forward with such defenses. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Analysis, Policy

Russia Tests SS-18

Russia today tested its SS-18 intercontinental ballistic missile, which it test fired from the Dombarovsky missile base in the Odenberg region of Russia, traveling some 6,000km to the Kura testing ground on the far eastern Kamchatka peninsula. This was the first test of a missile being launched from within Russia proper since 1991, reports Interfax—most test launches of the SS-18 take place from Kazakhstan.
        The missile in question was described as the RS-20V (R-36M2) Voyevoda, which has been in service for some 16 years, and which will remain in service for another ten or 15 years. It is known as the SS-18 or as “Satan” in the West. Of the two versions or “modifications” of SS-18s currently deployed, this was probably the SS-18 Mod 4. Russia reportedly has about 40-50 of these missiles currently in service.
         Russia is expected to test one more missile in 2004, the Topol-M, this Friday, December 24. (More »»») 

» RIA Novosti on SS-18, upcoming Topol-M, tests

» Podvig on SS-18 launch

» More stories on: Russia, Testing - Foreign

» Missile details: SS-18 Mod 3, SS-18 Mod 4

Kansas City Star Editorial

The Kansas City Star carried a very fine editorial on the need for perseverance despite the “unknown anomaly” which prevented the most recent test from taking place, and putting that minor setback in perspective. An excerpt: (More »»») 

» More stories on: Analysis, Policy

Rademaker Reminds of North Korean Threat

Asst. Sec. of State for Arms Control Stephen Rademaker warned yesterday that North Korea could, at any time, fire a long range ballistic missile, its Taepo Dong II, capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to parts of the United States.
        The reminder of the threat came at a speech for the American Foreign Policy Council, and days after an unsuccessful attempt to test the missile defense system being deployed in Alaska and California. The three stage missile, Rademaker said, “could deliver a several hundred kilogram payload up to 15,000 kilometers.” (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: North Korea

» Missile details: Taep'o-dong 2

The Time to Deploy is Now

Today is the second anniversary of President Bush’s announcement that the United States would be deploying missile defenses by the end of 2004. One day earlier, on December 16, the president signed National Security Presidential Directive-23, directing the deployment of missile defenses “in 2004.” That directive renewed Bush’s 2000 campaign pledge to do the same.
        For many months now, the head of the Missile Defense Agency had suggested that the deployment would take place by the first of October, 2004. For various reasons that did not take place, and both deployment and the test of the interceptor were put off and delayed. Integrated Flight Test-13C was attempted earlier this week, but did not take place, the interceptor remaining in its silo due to an unknown “anomaly.”
        Today, Rachel D’Oro of the Associated Press writes that actual deployment may be delayed still further, into 2005. Given the unsuccessful completion of IFT-13C, there is likely also political pressure to delay further. But the administration should instead renew its commitments of the past, and actively deploy the system as soon as possible. (Link) 

» Dec. 17, 2004: AP: Operational deployment may be delayed into 2005

» Dec. 17, 2002: Bush pledges to deploy

» Text of Dec. 16, 2002 NSPD-23, directing the deployment of missile defenses

» More stories on: Deployment

Deployment of Topol-M Regiment Now Complete

RIA Novosti reports that Russia has now completed the deployment of another regiment of Topol-M (SS-27) ballistic missiles. The deployment is apparently the same as that begun in December of 2003. The head of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces, Nikolai Solovtsov, was quoted as saying that the new silo-based regiment consisting of missiles is now “on full alert,” bringing the total number to forty.
        Pavel Podvig reports that as of today, four new Topol-Ms were deployed, in addition to the six deployed in December of 2003. These are also based at Tatishchevo in the Saratov region. Both RIA Novosti and Podvig call this the completion of the fourth regiment, although some reports last year termed it the fifth.  (Article, Link) 

» Dec. 21, 2003: Russia deploys fifth regiment of Topol-M missiles

» Podvig on Dec. 2004 deployment

» More stories on: Russia

» Missile details: SS-27

U.S.-Japan Agreement Signed

Today the United States signed an agreement with Japan which will allow for extensive missile defense cooperation between the two countries, in the mutual transfer of related technologies. The agreement comes after Japan has relaxed its own ban on arms, which was regarded by some as preventing certain missile defense work. (Article, Link) 

» Duncan Currie of Weekly Standard on the U.S.-Japan “special relationship”

» More stories on: Allies, Japan

Administration Reaffirms Support for BMD

Despite the inability of yesterday’s scheduled test to go forward, the Bush administration appears not to be caving to pressure to abandon the goal of missile defense. Administration spokesman Scott McClellan, when asked today whether the administration was still committed to missile defense, replied,

MR. McCLELLAN: The President remains firmly committed to moving forward on missile defense, a missile defense system. Missile defense is a high priority because it will help us better protect the American people against a potential limited long-range missile attack. And that’s why the President remains firmly committed to moving forward on an effective defense against the threat posed by the proliferation of long-range missiles.

My understanding, from the text you referenced, is that the interceptor missile launch was automatically stopped because of what the military describes as an “unknown anomaly.” We have had five successful tests of the eight. It’s important that we move forward on this because the President’s top responsibility is to do everything he can to protect the American people, and given the threats that we face in this day and age, missile defense is an important deterrent.

 (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Policy

Missile Defense Test Fails

The Missile Defense Agency yesterday attempted the first full test of its ground based midcourse defense system, but the interceptor missile failed to leave its silo. The target interceptor successfully launched from Kodiak island, but the the interceptor based at the Kwajalein Test Range in the Marshall Islands did not. The MDA cited an unspecified “anomaly.” had caused the interceptor to shut down automatically in its silo.
        The failed test will probably become a setback for missile defense efforts, less on the technical than the political level. The failure is a particular embarrassment since the technology involved has nothing to do with the actual intercept of a ballistic missile. Rather, it seems to be related to the simple launch of the missile, and is thus the kind of problem which has been worked out decades ago.
        The failed test in no way diminishes, however, the need for missile defense. It does reinforce the need for increased testing and for more proficient and effective systems. But no weapon system is perfect. It is for just such reason that there should therefore be backups and layers in our defenses. (Article, Link) 

» MDA press release on test attempt

» More stories on: Land-Based Systems, Testing - American

» Missile system details for: Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI), Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site (RTS)

Praise for Topol Missile Unit

Russian television yesterday carried a report profiling a Topol (SS-25) missile squad based in Siberia. The profile was of the 51st Strategic Missile Troops Division. The discussion of the reporter points to the mobile nature of the Topol missiles, a capacity to evade certain satellite detection, and targeting. The United States, by contrast, has no mobile land-based missiles: all American Minutemen are in silos, easily targeted in advance by Russia. An excerpt: (More »»») 

» More stories on: Russia

» Missile details: SS-25

New Publication: Getting MAD

The latest in a series of books co-published by the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center and the Army War College’s Strategic Studies Institute has been released and is available in full online. Edited by Henry D. Sokolski, Getting MAD is a collection of timely essays about how one may think about nuclear proliferation and nuclear strategy today.
        Claremont Institute Fellow Mark T. Clark contributes a chapter to the book, which considers the recent nuclear proliferation to a number of smaller regimes, and asks whether the cold war framework of purely offensive deterrence, namely mutually assured destruction, can be imposed upon them with any level of confidence—or even with a straight face. Do North Korea and Iran pursue nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them only to deter others? Clark concludes that “the idea that SNPs [small nuclear powers] are limited to some form of mini-MAD deterrent seems unreasonably optimistic. The optimism rests on the notion that because MAD, even its mini-version, would be so catastrophic that its realization is exceedingly remote, if not a virtual impossibility.”
        Such faith in the nuclear deterrence doctrines of the past rests upon the idea of that somehow merely technological advances in destructive capacity—the “nuclear revolution”—have somehow rendered obsolete the classical rules, ends, and possible outcomes of war. But human nature remains the same, and so do the purposes of strategy. It is for precisely these reasons that war, even nuclear war, is still possible even in the post-Cold War era. And it is for just this reason that missile defenses to defend against the inevitable proliferation of such technologies are so important.  (Article, Link) 

» Getting MAD in .pdf form

» Biography and writings by Mark T. Clark

» More stories on: Analysis, Nuclear Weapons, Proliferation

Spain to Deploy 64 Patriot Interceptors

El Mundo reports that Spain will be deploying some sixty four American Patriot interceptors on their Mediterranean coast, in the southern provinces of Sevilla and Cadiz.
        A statement by the Spanish government noted its responsibility to be able to “act against ballistic missiles, which have become one of the main and new threats against nation states.” The interceptors come from Germany, and are being sold for about 100 million euros.
        The AFP notes that Germany, Greece, and the Netherlands already have some minimal level of missile defense technology—namely, Patriots. The purchase is significant, however, as it marks the gradual but increasing recognition by an increasing number of countries that the ballistic missile threat is real and growing. That the missiles are facing towards the Mediterranean is likely an indication of concern about missiles in the Middle East, in such states as Iran, whose Shahab missile is said to have recently acquired sufficient range to strike much of Europe. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Allies

» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)

Third Anniversary of ABM Treaty Withdrawal Notice

On December 13, 2001, President Bush gave formal notice to Russia that the U.S. would be withdrawing from the 1972 ABM Treaty. Six months later, on June 13, 2002, the United States officially withdrew, as provided by the treaty itself.
        Today, three years after notice was given, the first elements of a system have been put into place for what should, someday, come to provide a truly national and strategic defense. Six interceptors are in silos in Alaska and, as of Friday, one at Vandenberg AFB here in California. Although Bill Gertz indicated in yesterday’s Washington Times that the system had formally been operationally deployed, this is not yet the case. In the coming weeks, however, one may expect such an announcement to take place, as well as another test of the system (Integrated Flight Test-13C, or IFT-13C), the first such test in two years. (Link) 

» More stories on: ABM Treaty, Deployment

Interceptor Installed at Vandenberg

On December 10, a 55-foot long Ground Based Interceptor was lowered into an underground silo at Vandenberg Air Force, in California, the first of two to be deployed at VAFB this year. The installation is the first in the continental United States—six are already emplaced at Fort Greely, in Alaska. (Article, Link) 

» Dec. 12: Lompoc Record: Karako on missile defense

» MDA press release on VAFB installation

» More stories on: Deployment, Land-Based Systems

» Missile system details for: Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI), Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD), Vandenberg Air Force Base

ABL Flight Test Continuation

Continuing December 3 flight test which was cut short, Missile Defense Agency again flight tested the Airborne Laser (ABL) aircraft, this time for flew 2 and a half hours. The shorter duration of the previous test was due to anomalous instrumentation readings, an apparent problem which was quickly solved. This longer flight was again conducted at Edwards Air Force Base. (Link) 

» Air Force press release on ABL flight test of Dec. 9

» More stories on: Air

» Missile system details for: Airborne Laser (ABL)

Profile of Underground Russian Control Center

Moscow television, Ren TV, yesterday carried a report on an underground command center or situation room from which a decision to shoot down terrorist-hijacked planes could take place. The piece describes how the control center is designed to withstand a nuclear blast, and how it also has the capability to direct air and missile defense efforts. An excerpt:

[Correspondent] The air defence protects not only the sky but also the lower regions of outer space. Its missiles can hit targets - various spacecraft and ballistic missiles - at an altitude of up to 30 km.

The Russian air defence force was created 90 years ago, at the beginning of World War I, when it was equipped with anti-aircraft guns like the one you see here. It has been continuously developing since then. S-200 and S-300 missile systems are now being replaced by advanced S-400 complexes able to destroy any enemy target.

 (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Russian Missile Defenses

» Missile system details for: S-200 (SA-5 Gammon), S-300P (SA-10 Grumble), S-300V (SA-12A Gladiator, SA-12B Giant), S-400 (SA-20 Triumf)

Jane’s: China Developing Two Versions of FT-2000 Missile Defense System

The December issue of Jane’s Missiles and Rockets notes that China is developing two versions of the FT-2000 air and missile defense system, namely the FT-2000A and FT-2000B. The report of the two versions is not by itself new. The article rather seems to have been prompted by a leaflet distributed at the recent Zhuhai air show. New information added by the leaflet also includes that the full system, which China reportedly hopes to market around the world, would include a “passive radar,” 12 launchers with one missile each, a single support station, and three slave or relay stations.
        The -A and -B versions vary in range and capability, and are based on the Chinese HQ-2 and Chinese HQ-9 respectively.  (Link) 

» More stories on: China

» Missile system details for: FT-2000, Hongqi-2 (HQ-2), Hongqi-9 (HQ-9)

Russia to Conduct Another Ten Missile Tests in 2005

In early 2004, Russian Colonel-General Nikolay Solovtsov, commander of the Russian Strategic Missile Troops announced that it would test a total of 10 ICBMs in the coming year. Russia now plans to do the same in 2005, reports Interfax.
        Solovtsov said at a news conference today that, “In compliance with our combat training plans, we are going to launch 10 strategic missiles in 2005, which is almost the same number we launched this year.”
        According to public reports tracked by Missilethreat.com, Russia has in fact conducted a total of some thirteen launches to date this year. They were as follows:

• November 2: SS-25, SS-18
• September 8: SS-N-23, SS-N-18
• August 11: SS-19
• June 29: SS-N-23, SS-18
• April 20: SS-27
• March 17: SS-N-23 (2 missiles)
• February 12: SS-19 (2 missiles), SS-27

        Excluding SLBM launches, there were a total of eight land-based ICBM tests this year. An additional test of the land-based Topol-M, and possibly another “heavy missile,” has been reportedly scheduled for sometime during December, but it is unclear if this will still take place.
        Besides these ICBM/SLBM tests, there were at least three launches of the short-range but nuclear capable SS-21 “Tochka” in 2004: on April 2, June 3, and August 3. (Article, Link) 

» Feb. 12, 2004: Solovtsov: Ten missile launches in 2004

» More stories on: Russia, Testing - Foreign

Japan Names China as Threat

Japan recently released its new defense policy outline, which for the first time names Communist China as a concern and possible threat. North Korea is also so named, but China has reacted violently to their being included—a reaction which, in combination with the facts of China’s ambitious military buildup, confirms the validity of Japan’s defense articulation. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue expressed China’s “strong dissatisfaction” that Japan had officially spoken of the China threat in an official document, and called the accusation “baseless and irresponsible.”
        Last month, a Chinese submarine penetrated Japanese waters.  (More »»») 

» China reacts to Japanese defense document

» More stories on: Allies, China, Japan

China to Market B-611 Missile

China’s new short range “B-611” missile system, first reported here on November 1, has been described as one of a “family of B6 missiles,” and is now reportedly up for sale, according to the recent issue of Jane’s Missiles and Rockets. The most recent story adds that firing preparation time is 25 minutes. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: China

» Missile details: B-611

Pakistan Launches Hatf-4

Pakistan today tested its Hatf-4 (Shaheen 1) Ballistic missile, with an estimated range of 700km. The test is Pakistan’s second in ten days. On November 29, Pakistan launched the Hatf-3, with a range of 290km, and on October 12 it tested the Hatf-5, with a range of 1500-1800km.
        The Hatf-4 is able to deliver both nuclear and conventional warheads. Pakistani television, PTV World, noted in a report on today’s test that the Hatf-4 missile has been handed over to the Pakistan Strategic Force Command, along with the Hatf-3 and Hatf-5. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Pakistan, Testing - Foreign

» Missile details: Hatf 4

Russia Upgrading Missile Defense Command Center

Channel One television in Moscow reports that Russia is upgrading the “Elbrus” supercomputer which serves the “Don-2N” control center for the missile defense system which is located around Moscow. The newer technologies reportedly replace a decade-old system which took up an entire floor of a building.
        While a relatively minor upgrade, this story confirms once again that Russia is serious about maintaining and improving its ballistic missile defenses. On November 29, Russia conducted an intercept test, which was successful.
         Incidentally, Elbrus is also the name of an early Russian ballistic missile which has come to be proliferated around the world, the R-17 Scud-B.
         The Don-2N center reportedly includes a phased array radar and a number of interceptors. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Russian Missile Defenses

» Missile details: SS-1C 'Scud B'

Israel Deploying Patriot Interceptors in Haifa

Israel yesterday deployed a Patriot air and missile defense battery was near Haifa Bay, weeks after Hezbollah had penetrated that airspace in northern Israel with an Iranian-built unmanned drone. (Article, Link) 

» Nov. 12: Debka: Patriot apparently removed before overflight, yet could have destroyed Iranian drone

» More stories on: Iran, Israel

» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-2 (PAC-2)

Airborne Laser Undergoes Flight Test

Yesterday, December 3rd, the Missile Defense Agency conducted a flight test of the Airborne laser, the first such test since December 2002. The flight took place at Edwards Air Force Base in California. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Air, Testing - American

» Missile system details for: Airborne Laser (ABL)

China Testing New Class of Nuclear Missile Submarine

The Washington Times reports that China has recently launched a new class of ballistic missile submarines, Type-094, an significant improvement upon its current Xia class vessel. Bill Gertz quotes one defense official as saying that the submarine will “represent a more modern, more capable missile platform,” and an intelligence official, that the new submarine, reportedly largely based on Russian technologies, will be will be “China’s first truly intercontinental strategic nuclear delivery system.”
        The submarine will carry 16 of the JL-2 ballistic missiles, each with multiple warheads. The JL-2 is the sea-based version of the land-based DF-31. Tests of the JL-2 reportedly took place in 2002 and 2003. According to Gertz, citing other U.S. intelligence officials, the Chinese tested the JL-2 missile this summer, but the test failed. No such reports made the mainstream news at the time. (More »»») 

» More stories on: China

» Missile details: CSS-NX-5 (JL-2)

Reports on Japanese Missile Plans Misstate Significance

The Associated Press reports that Japan is considering developing “long-range” ballistic missiles, in “an apparent reversal of post-World War II policy.” With such a “long-range weapon, Japan would have the capability of making a preemptive strike in foreign territory, raising concerns of a shift toward a more assertive policy.”
        The purposes of such a development, however, appear to be different. The reporting distortions would seem to paint Japan as an aggressor in the region, when in fact the recent move points strongly to the increasing threats posed by North Korea and China.
        The Japanese Kyodo and Yomiuri Shimbun news services recently reported on a draft outline for Japanese priorities over the next five years produced by the Japanese Defense Agency. The document apparently recommends research into surface-to-surface ballistic missiles with the capability of a few hundred kilometers and the ability to target installations used by potential enemies during an invasion of Japan.
        Two points should be made about the suggested missile development.  (Link) 

» Dec. 3: Associated Press report, suggesting Japanese aggression

» More stories on: Allies, Japan

Iran Developing Longer Range Missiles

Citing an Iranian opposition group, the New York Times today reports that Iran is secretly developing a ballistic missile of considerably longer-range than that which it currently admits to having, in part with the aid of North Korean scientists. The dissident group, also said to be a terrorist group, says the new missile would have a range of more than 1,500 miles (2,400km). Iran has already tested versions of its Shahab-3/4 with a range of 2,000km. Such a range would give the terrorist sponsoring nation the capability to target much of Europe.
        Today the U.S. State Department also slapped sanctions on four Chinese entities (including one state-run firm) and one North Korean company, for their aiding Iran with its missile and weapons programs. Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs are not taking place in a vacuum, and their progress should come as no surprise. The proliferation of ballistic missile and weapons programs to Iran would seem to be a matter of high state policy for China and North Korea, as well as Russia, whose entities regularly receive similar sanctions and which is a primary contributor to Iran’s nuclear reactor programs.
        Update: Dec. 3: Other reports include a more detailed description of the report by the National Council of Resistance of Iran. The council is said to have identified not one, but two longer-range missiles under development, calling them Ghadr 101 and Ghadr 110. Their ranges are said to be 2,500 and 3,000km, respectively. Reuters compares these missiles, being developed at the Hemmat Missile Industries complex, to the more advanced Scud E. Also of note is that the council described Iran’s August test of a Shahab missile as being of the Shahab-4, rather than the Shahab-3. Some have speculated that Iran’s retaining the same nomenclature for a more advanced missile may be part of a design to understate its capabilities. Iran has only admitted to having or pursuing missiles with a range of no more than 2,000km.
        The council quoted by Middle East Newsline on December 2 describes the range of the Shahab-4 as between 2,000 to 3,000 kilometers—which may well be possible, but a 3,000km range for the Shahab-4 would seem to undercut the claim that a 3,000km range Ghadr missile would constitute a real improvement. (Article, Link) 

» Dec. 2: State Dept. imposes sanctions on Chinese and North Korean entities

» Dec. 3: Reuters: two “Ghadr” missiles under development

» Dec. 3: Middle East Newsline: Iran-China satellite accord will aid Iranian missile accuracy

» More stories on: China, Iran, Proliferation

» Missile details: Shahab-3, Shahab-4

New Targets for Russia’s Missile Defense Tests

Russia’s Interfax Military news agency reports that the Russian Defense Ministry has compiled new specifications for the development of ramjet missile targets which are based on the S-75 air and missile defense system. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Russia, Russian Missile Defenses

Bush Broaches BMD in Canada

While visiting Canadian Prime Minister Martin, President Bush raised the subject of missile defense, and called on U.S.-Canadian cooperation for the defensive initiative. “I hope we’ll…move forward on ballistic missile defense cooperation to protect the next generation of Canadians and Americans from the threats we know will arise,” Bush said in a foreign policy speech. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Allies, Canada

Intelligence Officials Identify “New” Russian Missile

Citing “intelligence sources,” Geostrategy Direct confirms the analysis noted here at Missilethreat.com, amidst speculation about a “new” Russian ballistic missile, after a speech by President Putin on November 17.
        Rather than a new missile altogether, the comment made by Putin most likely refers to a type of maneuverable warhead which can be used to evade U.S. missile defenses.
        Also of interest is that today’s report includes a description of a previous test of the Topol-M, which suggests it may have some sort of scramjet capability:

In November 2001, Moscow test fired a new SS-27 that had a low-trajectory flight as it flew from Plesetsk to the Kura test range on the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Russian Far East.

The first of the new missiles was fired in July 2001 and its last stage dropped from its flight in space to an altitude of about 100,000 feet. U.S. intelligence officials suspect the new missile is equipped with a scramjet-powered last stage that travels about five times the speed of sound

 (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Maneuverable Warheads, Russia

» Missile details: SS-27