MissileThreat.com

First Booster Delivered to Greely

The first booster for the Ground Based Interceptors has been delivered to Fort Greely Alaska. The missile was flown from Vandenburg Air Force Base, and will be assembled in Alaska. Still needing to be fully assembled, it will be the first missile deployed, and put on alert. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Policy

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

Russian Diesel Subs May Go to Taiwan

Russia could sell some eight diesel-powered submarines to Taiwan, reports the Washington Times. The sale would go indirectly through the United States.
        Putin is quoted as saying that, “If the Americans resell them [to Taiwan], it’s none of Russia’s business.” But of course it is Russia’s business, and the sale could be seen as an effort to counterbalance China, to whom Russia sells substantial military equipment, including submarines. The quiet Kilo-class submarines would reportedly be armed with Russian weapons, but equipped with U.S. electronics and propulsion. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Russia, Taiwan

Russia Fires Strategic Cruise Missile

In addition to testing an SS-N-23 SLBM, Russia today also launched an unidentified strategic cruise missile from a Tu-95MS strategic bomber. ITAR-TASS reports that the missile successfully hit its target at the test range in Novaya Zemlya, located in the Arctic circle.
        While the missile was not identified, the Tu-95MS bomber has in the past carried the Kh-55 nuclear capable cruise missile, a new variant of which might have been the subject for testing. A spokesman for the launch quoted by ITAR-Tass commented that the distance from where the bomber took off, the Saratov region, and the missile’s target was some 3,000km, which is roughly the range of the Kh-55. Alternatively, however, Russia could be testing its new Kh-101/102 experimental cruise missile. It also has a range of at least 3,000 km and can also be launched from the Tu-95MS. The Kh-101/102 is expected to enter service next year. (Article, Link) 

» Description of Kh-55 cruise missile

» Description of Kh-101/102 cruise missile

» Podvig: Cruise missile could be Kh-55

» More stories on: Cruise Missiles, Russia, Testing - Foreign

Russia Tests SS-N-23 and SS-18 Ballistic Missiles

Russia today successfully tested a submarine launched RSM-54 (SS-N-23 or “Skiff”) ballistic missile from the Yekaterinburg Delta IV-class missile submarine submerged in the Barents Sea. The missile traveled some 7,000 km before reaching its target, the Kura testing ground on the Kamchatka Peninsula, located on Russia’s Pacific coast. The missile’s flight across Russia lasted only some 28 minutes. The SS-N-23 missile tested today was the same type as those which failed to launch during naval exercises attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin in February.
        In addition, Russia also launched an SS-18, or RS-20, intercontinental ballistic missile. The SS-18 or “Satan” missile was launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Russia, Testing - Foreign

» Missile details: SS-18 Mod 4, SS-N-23

Russia Launches U.S., Other Satellites on Converted SS-18

Russia today launched eight satellites into orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, aboard a single booster, developed from the SS-18 (R-36M) ballistic missile. Three American satellites, three for Saudi Arabia, one Italian and one French, were those put into orbit. (Article, Link) 

» Itar-Tass description of launch

» More stories on: Russia

Report: North Korea Opens Round of Nuclear Talks with Short Range Missile Test

The Sankei Shimbun Japanese newspaper and the Kyodo news service reports that North Korea opened a round of nuclear talks with a test of a short-range ballistic missile. The test launch apparently took place from North Korea’s South Hamgyeong Province, involved a mobile launcher, and traveled some 200 kilometers. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: North Korea, Testing - Foreign

North Korea Threatens Nuclear Test

North Korea has threatened to test one of its nuclear weapons if the United States does not accede to its various demands in exchange for (again) freezing its nuclear program. The threat comes in the midst of the multi-nation talks over the North’s nuclear programs, North Korea’s accusation that the United States is pursuing a hostile policy, and Russia and China both defending the small communist country, and warning that their missile and nuclear threat should not be exaggerated. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: North Korea, Nuclear Weapons

Russia Continues to Downplay North Korean Missile Threat

Itself a primary source of missile proliferation the world over, Russia continues its efforts to undermine cause for the United States to deploy a missile defense system, by denying that a missile threat to America exists.
        Russian First Deputy Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Trubnikov is said to have told reporters on June 3 that “the missile threat from North Korea should not be exaggerated,” according to East-Asia-Intel.com. Trubnikov warned that Japanese estimates that North Korea had some 200 missiles was dubious—even though American intelligence estimates put the number at over 500 Scud variants and several hundred No Dong missiles, as well as a smaller number of missiles with more extended range.  (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: North Korea, Russia

Minuteman III Tracked by BMD Radar During Test

The U.S. Air Force today successfully test launched a Minuteman III ballistic missile. Launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the missile hit its target 4,200 miles away, at the Kwajalein Missile Range in the Marshall Islands. Some 500 Minuteman III missiles are deployed in the continental United States.
        The test launch provided an opportunity to test the missile defense radar based on an Aegis ship, in this case the USS Paul Hamilton, and the sending of that information to the missile defense command center in Colorado Springs, to generate a fire control solution, as if the Minuteman had been a real target. (Article, Link) 

» MDA release on missile tracking

» Aegis ship-based missile defense radar tracks Minuteman III

» More stories on: Testing - American

» Missile details: Minuteman III

» Missile system details for: Aegis Ship-Based BMD

Possible Agni III Test in July

India’s Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee announced on June 19 that India would test launch its Agni III missile “as and when required.” The nuclear-capable Agni III has never yet been fired, but tests have been put off since last November. The missile is believed to have a range of about 3,000km. Several days later, defense sources revealed that the missile is scheduled for launch sometime in July. The test should take place in the second week of July, and be launched from the test range in Orissa, east India. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: India, Testing - Foreign

» Missile details: Agni-3

Statement by MDA on President Ronald Reagan

The Missile Defense Agency released a statement praising the late President Ronald Reagan for his courageous efforts in support of ballistic missile defense. (More »»») 

» More stories on: Policy

Kyl: BMD Essential to Homeland Security

Arizona Senator Jon Kyl points out that, far from being tangential to America’s national security, missile defense is essential, indeed “at the heart of homeland security.” Kyl writes as proponents of vulnerability in both the House and Senate attempt, by means of amendment, to slash funding for vital missile defense programs. (Article, Link) 

» Kyl applauds defeat of anti-missile defense budget amendments

» More stories on: Analysis, Policy

Australia in for Missile Defense

Australia has now committed to missile defense, and will sign a memorandum of understanding with the US in July, concerning its participation, said Australian Defense Minister Robert Hill. Australia will initially be involved with various land- and sea-based “over the horizon” radars for missile defense, potentially directed, most likely, at North Korea and China. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Allies

Kazakhstan Upgrading Air Defenses

Kazakhstan is investing the equivalent of one billion dollars to upgrade its air defense system, reports Interfax, with the upgrades reportedly being made by a British company, BAE Systems. The systems upgraded reportedly include the S-75, S-125, S- 200, and S-300. The size of the contract reflects the extent of the defense systems built by the Soviet Union. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Russian Missile Defenses

» Missile system details for: S-200 (SA-5 Gammon), S-300V (SA-12A Gladiator, SA-12B Giant)

North Korea Tests Missile Engine

North Korea in May successfully tested a rocket engine for its long-range Taepo-Dong II missile, reports the Joongang Ilbo South Korean newspaper. The test was said to have taken place in early May, at the Musudan missile complex, in the North Hamgyong province some 120 miles from the Russian border. The paper cited “multiple” diplomatic sources. The Taepo Dong II has been long believed to have a range sufficient to hit Alaska and the Western United States. North Korea is believed to have unsuccessfully tested a missile engine at the same, Musudan missile test site in December of 2002, when the engine failed and destroyed a missile launch pad and other parts of the site. (Article, Link) 

» East Asia Intel report of North Korean missile engine test

» More stories on: North Korea, Testing - Foreign

» Missile details: Taep'o-dong 2

Iran Deploying Missiles Near Iraq Border

Iran is currently deploying guerrillas, suicide bombers, and “missiles” near the Iran-Iraq border, reports Geostrategy Direct, but the type and capabilities of the missiles are not specified. Hassan Abbasi, director of the Center for Doctrinal Studies, is quoted as saying that the missiles are targeting some 29 American and western targets. Geostrategy Direct quotes Abbasi further, saying: “Our missiles are now ready to hit their civilization…As soon as we receive the orders from the leader, we will launch the missiles toward their cities and installations.” (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Iran

Taiwan Tests Patriot Interceptors

Taiwan has test-fired two Patriot interceptors, as part of a computerized wargame simulating an attack by China. The Patriot interceptors hit their target, “a ballistic missile surrogate target.” Taiwan has three batteries of Patriot air defense and missile defense systems, but these are vastly outweighed by China’s over 500 short range missiles off the Taiwan coast. This most recent intercept took place from the Chiu Peng Test Range, in Southern Taiwan. The military simulation reflected estimated capabilities of Taiwan and China in 2006. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Taiwan

» Missile system details for: Patriot

GCC-U.S. Joint Exercises Tackle Missile Defense

The Iranian Shahab-3 ballistic missile threat was the focus of a joint American-Arab missile defense exercise in the United Arab Emirates last month. The exercise, called Eagle Resolve-2004, was sponsored by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to demonstrate the need and utility “for low-level and high-level anti-ballistic missile batteries deployed along the coastline from Kuwait all the way down to Oman,” a senior GCC officer told Defense News.
        Both sides said the exercise, which sought better coordination and interoperability in GCC-U.S. air defense efforts, was successful. The U.S. currently deploys Patriot interceptors to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain, but only Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are able to intercept missiles on their own. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are also in talks with Raytheon to acquire the more accurate and longer-range PAC-3 model. (Link) 

» More stories on: Allies

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

South Korea To Beef Up Defense

Defense News reports that South Korea is planning to boost defense expenditures by 13.4 percent in the coming year as they attempt to adjust its defense posture against North Korea in light of the U.S. intention to cut the deployment of 37,000 American troops in South Korea by one third.
        The South Korean Defense Ministry is looking to fund airborne reconnaisance, new surface-to-air missiles and upgraded communications surveillance equipment. To counter the North Korean artillery threat, South Korea would also like to purchase new fighter jets, advanced armored vehicles, Aegis-equipped destroyers and integrated weapon systems. (Link) 

» More stories on: South Korea

North Korea Extending Range of No-Dong Missile

North Korea has extended the range of its No-Dong ballistic missiles to 1,500km, according to a report by Middle East Newswire, citing the Japanese business daily Nikkei Shimbun and other sources. The two versions of the No-Dong missiles have been exported to various middle eastern countries, including Iran, which is believed to have based its Shahab missile family.
        The report is not, however, altogether news, given that the No-Dong 2 was already believed to have a range of 1,500km. Since the article does not specify, it may refer to difference between the No-Dong 1 and the No-Dong 2. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: North Korea

» Missile details: No-dong 1, No-dong 2

Pentagon Studies Ways Taiwan Can Deter China

In its annual report on China’s military strategy and modernization efforts, the Pentagon suggests various means by which Taiwan might defend itself against a possible Chinese offensive, notes Defense News. The report argues Taiwan could show its strength by targeting urban populations, high-value infrastructure like the Three Gorges Dam, along with Chinese computer networks, airports, communications nodes and command-and-control centers.
        Recognizing the military balance of power is trending steadily in favor of China and “eroding the spatial, temporal and distance challenges that have historically inhibited using force against Taiwan,” the Pentagon presumably wants to encourage the Taiwanese to adopt and work toward a variety of defense reforms, from linking up Taiwan’s armed forces in a computer-network centric system, to emphasizing the importance of cooperation and defenses against Chinese missiles.
        Defense analysts say China plans to target the leadership in Taipei with a “decapitation” strategy, thus deterring American intervention. Therefore, it must be necessary for Taiwan to have the tools and capability to fight back. Says the Heritage Foundation’s China expert John Tkacik, Jr., “If Taiwan does not have a credible stand-off strike capability, in any kind of battle situation it will be the U.S. [military] that will have to take the battle to China. I think that makes any kind of conflict much more manageable if those strikes are from Taiwan and not from the U.S.”
        Yet Bernard Cole of the National Defense University says, “China is so big and there are so many targets that I don’t see a target set that would convince Beijing to lay off if some sort of conflict broke out.” (Link) 

» Annual Report on Chinese Military Power

» More stories on: China, Taiwan

India Pursuing Blue Water Navy, Ballistic Missile Sub

India has the ambition to join the other great powers of the world in having a blue water ballistic missile submarines, according to a story in Defense News. India’s recent adoption of a new military doctrine aimed at the acquisition of such vessels could help to counterbalance China’s own military buildup, detailed in the DoD report released last week. India is already planning to lease a Russian Akula-class sub, but will soon develop its own vessels.
        The report does not specify what sort of ballistic missiles an Indian submarine may carry, but one sea launched ballistic missile India has been working on is the Dhanush.  (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: India

» Missile details: Dhanush

Kerry: Cut Missile Defense

Presidential candidate John Kerry has pledged that, if he were president, he would moderately increase the size of the armed forces, which would be paid for by cutting still further funds for missile defense. More attention should rather be given to prevent small, asymmetrical, attacks such as anthrax, “instead of over-relying on weapons and tactics to fight the battles of the past.”
        But if concern with strategic vulnerability is a matter of “the past,” no one seems to have told the foreign leaders of the many rogue nations, or indeed that of China, who continue to put a high priority on the continued modernization and advancement of their ballistic missile arsenals.
        Kerry’s comments parallel the response China gave this past week to the Defense Department’s annual report to Congress, Military Power of the People’s Republic of China. China accused the Pentagon of holding on to Cold War thinking, by emphasizing China’s own ambitions to deploying some 30 nuclear armed ICBMs capable of striking the United States by 2005—a number which is expected to rise to 60 by the end of the decade.  (Article, Link) 

» June 1, 2004: China accuses US China report of “Cold War mentality”

» More stories on: Policy

Pakistan Tests Second Hatf-5 Missile in a Week

A week after testing a Hatf-5 (Ghauri) missile, Pakistan tested a second today. The Hatf-5 is nuclear capable, and said to have a range of 1,500km. Another version, however, called the Hatf-5A, is believed to have a range of 1,800km.
        The two test firings took place despite earlier reports that Pakistan was going to test a 3,500 km range “Ghauri-3.” It is possible that Pakistan is intentionally underreporting the range of the missiles, to minimize international concern about their capabilities.
        The location and time of the test were not reported. President General Musharraf witnessed the test, and seemed to indicate that Pakistan, unlike Libya, would not “rollback” its missile or nuclear programs.  (More »»») 

» Pakistan claims it will test Ghauri-3, with 3,500km range

» More stories on: Pakistan, Testing - Foreign

India Continuing Work on Agni-III

India is continuing its work on the Agni-3 missile with a range of 3,000km, reports the Chinese Xinhau news agency, but it is not certain when it might be tested. One of the scientific advisors to the program is quoted as saying that it could be within a year. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: India, Testing - Foreign

» Missile details: Agni-3

Russia Plans Test of Sea-Based Version of Topol-M

Moscow plans to conduct the first test launch of the Bulava solid fuel ICBM this year, reported the Interfax Russian news agency yesterday. The Bulava (SS-NX-30) is the submarine-launched version of Russia’s most advanced missile, the Topol-M (SS-27). (More »»») 

» More stories on: Russia, Testing - Foreign

» Missile details: SS-27, SS-NX-30

Russia Tests Tochka (SS-21) Missile

Russia has again test fired its Tochka (SS-21) short range ballistic missile. According to a transcript taken from Russian television on May 31, the missile traveled a mere 20 km. The Tochka has a range of 70km, and the Tochka-U, or SS-21B, has a range up to 120km, however. (More »»») 

» More stories on: Russia, Testing - Foreign

» Missile details: SS-21 A, SS-21 B

U.S. to Sell BMD Radar to Bahrain

The United States has permitted Lockheed Martin to sell radar to the country of Bahrain, which has missile defense tracking capabilities, reports geostrategy-direct.com. The U.S. recently awarded a 43 million dollar contract to Lockheed for the AN/TPS-59[V]3B radar system, as well as associated supplies, of which the sale to Bahrain is a small part. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Detection and Tracking

Egypt Also Interested in Patriot

Egypt is among the many countries anxious to procure the Patriot PAC-3 missile defense program, and will likely do so within the decade. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Allies

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

Moran on Kerry’s Record Against Missile Defense

Robert Moran, writing at National Review Online, documents a few of the many times presidential candidate John Kerry has opposed missile defense. His recent speech saying that the United States must do everything it can to prevent nuclear terrorism will be a tough sell, given his record.
        Also worth noting, however, is that John Kerry has devoted some considerable time to the subject of missile defense, and making sure the United States does not deploy one. On May 1, 2001, President Bush gave one of his most important speeches on missile defense, outlining why the United States should, and would, withdraw from the outdated ABM Treaty of 1972, which made missile defense illegal. On the very next day, Kerry responded with a long and articulate response, about the need to preserve the ABM Treaty. The long and short of it was the need to preserve mutually assured destruction. (More »»») 

» May 1, 2001: President Bush at National Defense University

» May 2, 2001: John Kerry’s response to Bush

» Other major speeches on missile defense

» More stories on: ABM Treaty, Analysis, Policy

Spring on Missile Defense

Baker Spring of the Heritage Foundation writes in the Washington Times on the cheap shots Democrats are taking at the administration’s missile defense efforts. It is easy to criticize something for not being perfect, but a lack of perfection is no reason to not to do the best one is able.
        Opponents of Ronald Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative often made the argument that if missile defenses are not 100% effective, no defenses were better than some. The same logic is being continued today. But, as Spring notes, the moral and logical bankrupt of the argument for the opposite position, that of mutually assured destruction (MAD), that “In vulnerability, there is virtue,” cannot and must not be the guide for our defense policy. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Analysis

China Says DoD Report Has Ulterior Motives

Days after China engaged in an 18,000 men exercise for “controlling the Taiwan Strait”, Chinese foreign ministry official Liu Jianchao accused the United States Pentagon of a “Cold War mentality,” and “ulterior motives” in its recent annual report to Congress on Chinese Military Power. “The Pentagon report is full of Cold War thinking and cliches on the China threat,” Liu Jianchao said.
        The charge that the report engages in “Cold War thinking” is a euphemism for the fact that it emphasizes strategic, rather than asymmetrical, threats, that is, the sort of threat posed by nuclear armed Chinese ICBMs rather than the threat of anthrax of terrorists hiding in caves. And to the extent this is true, to the extent that the threat from terrorism has not so clouded strategic thinking, it is so much the better. The report emphasizes that China, too, is thinking strategically, not asymmetrically, and the United States should be as well.  (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: China

Pentagon Report: China’s Space Power Increasing

The Department of Defense released its annual report to Congress, The Military Power of the People’s Republic of China, which details China’s continued expansion of their ballistic missile capabilities, and ambitions of military superiority in the region, as well as significant ambitions in space.
        The report also notes that China is devoting significant electronic warfare systems which could be used to jam the US GPS constellation, as well as “robust” research and development program for laser weapons. In addition, “Beijing may have acquired high-energy laser equipment that could be used in the development of ground-based anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons.”
        Space, too, is essential to the future of modern warfare, and China is pursuing electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weapons, and “microsatellites.” All of this continues, despite China’s salutary denials of the militarization of space, and criticism of any American attempts to defend space assets: “Publicly, China opposes the militarization of space and seeks to prevent or slow the development of U.S. anti-satellite (ASAT) systems and space-based missile defenses,” the report notes; “Privately, however, China’s leaders probably view ASAT systems—and offensive counterspace systems, in general—as well as space-based missile defenses as inevitabilities.” China is said to be pursuing foreign technologies to develop its own domestic satellite-killing capability; “Given China’s current level of interest in laser technology, Beijing probably could develop a weapon that could destroy satellites in the future,” the report notes.
        China also continues to modernize and accelerate its ballistic missile arsenal. China officially has only 20 ICBMs capable of striking the United States, but the report notes that it could have 30 by 2005, and as many as 60 by the end of the decade. Beijing is also expected to replace its 20 CSS-4 Mod 1 ICBMs with a still longer-range version, and to deploy the DF-31 ICBM by the end of the decade—if they have not done so already. (More »»») 

» Annual report, The Military Power of the People’s Republic of China (.pdf)

» More stories on: China, Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Weapons, Proliferation, Space-Based Systems

» Missile details: CSS-9 (DF-31)