| Country: |
Serbia and Montenegro |
| Associated Country: |
Russia |
| Class: |
SRBM |
| Basing: |
Road mobile |
| Length: |
0.00 m |
| Diameter: |
0.00 m |
| Payload: |
Single warhead |
| Warhead: |
HE, chemical, submunitions |
| Propulsion: |
Single-stage liquid |
| Range: |
400 km |
| Status: |
Terminated |
Details
Unconfirmed reports suggest that Serbia had a missile development program for ballistic missiles during the 1990’s. This research allegedly occurred at the Military Technical College in Belgrade and consisted of an effort to develop longer range ballistic missiles by developing variants of the Russian ‘Scud B’. ‘Scuds’ are short range ballistic missile designed by the Russians for battlefield use or civilian bombardment. The original design was based off of German V-2 technology and delivered 950 kg payload to a maximum range of 190 km (118 miles) with an accuracy of 3000 m CEP. Modern variants are typically fired from a Transporter-Erector-Launcher (TELs), effectively a large truck with a missile storage and launch structure in the cargo area. Technological improvements have greatly increased the range and accuracy of the original design, and the nuclear and chemical capabilities have made it a popular delivery system.
The Serbian initiative was reported to be three separate programs designed at developing longer range ‘Scud B’ missiles of ranges up to 400 km, 600 km and 1,000 km (249, 373 and 621 miles). Foreign advisors are believed to have assisted during the development. Reports from 1996 suggest funding difficulties may have led to the halting of some of these programs and all the programs were terminated in 1999 by the NATO-Serbia war.(1)
The development of improved ‘Scud’ technology in Serbia and Montenegro is not a direct threat to the United States. As the programs were terminated before completion, no direct threat exists. The level of technology is insufficient to threaten the United States or any of its allies. The existence of more advanced missiles systems for sale by North Korea makes it unlikely that buyers will be interested in these primitive Serbian systems.
A more complete analysis of the original missile design can be found for the Russian ‘Scud B’ section of the website.
Footnotes
1. Jane's Strategic Weapon Systems, Issue 39, ed. Duncan Lennox, (Surrey: Jane's Information Group, July 2003) 13.
North Korea Fires Taepo-Dong 2, Five Short- and Medium-Range Missiles
July 5, 2006 :: Washington Times :: News
North Korea yesterday test-launched a long-range Taep’o-dong 2 ballistic missile, which broke up 42 seconds into its flight, and five short- to medium-range missiles, including one that landed near Russian territory. According to the Pentagon, the missiles were launched from “multiple locations” and there is a possibility that North Korea will conduct more test launches over the next few days. The Taep’o-dong 2, which is believed to have a range of approximately 15,000 km (9,300 m), broke apart 42 seconds after its launch for reasons as of yet unknown. The five shorter range Nodong and Scud missiles all landed in the Sea of Japan. All six launches were detected and tracked by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). No actions were taken by the U.S. military in response. The White House referred to the missile launches as “a clear provocation,” and said that North Korea’s decision to escalate its standoff with the international community will bring it further alienation. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: North Korea, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: NHK-1/2, Scud B variant, Tien Ma 1
Iran Deploys Scud Missiles on Ships
October 14, 2004 :: Middle East Newsline :: News
Citing U.S. officials, Middle East Newsline today reports that Iran has deployed a number of short-range and medium-range Scud ballistic missiles aboard cargo vessels, and equipped them to be launched from the ships. The ships are said to be stationed in the northern Persian Gulf and the Straits of Hormuz. The officials also said that Iran began deployment of ship-based missiles in 1997, and that several such vessels are already so equipped. (Link)
» Aug. 18, 2004: Rumsfeld again warns of danger by ship launched missile
» Oct. 24, 2002: Wolfowitz warns of ship launched threat
» Oct. 21, 2004: Rumsfeld on rogue state test of ship-launched missile
» More stories on: Iran, Ship-Launched Threat
» Missile details: Scud B variant, Scud C variant
Libya to Renounce Long Range Missiles, Proliferation Ties with North Korea; To Shorten Scud-B Range
April 12, 2004 :: New York Times :: News
Libya has apparently renounced its long-range missiles and turned its inventory them over to the United States, including its Scud-C, but will keep shorter range Scud-B’s for “self defense” purposes, reports the New York Times. In March Libya sent five Scud-C missiles with a range of 800 kilometers to the United States.
Libya’s Russian-made Scud-B’s which have a range of 300 kilometers, or about 185 miles, and warheads with a payload of 1,000 kilograms, or 2,200 pounds, of explosives. The number of Scud-B’s bought from Moscow is unclear, but is said to be in the hundreds. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Libya
» Missile details: Scud B variant
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
