| Country: |
Egypt |
| Class: |
MRBM |
| Basing: |
Road mobile |
| Payload: |
Single warhead |
| Propulsion: |
Single-stage liquid |
| Range: |
1000-1500 km |
| Status: |
Development |
Details
In an effort to develop its missile program, Egypt has undergone several long-term projects aimed at modernizing the existing "Scud" design obtained from the Russians. Scuds are short-range ballistic missiles designed by the Russians for battlefield use or civilian assault. The original Russian design was based off of 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.
Egypt has undertaken several such projects in the last decade, including the cancelled Badr 2000 or Vector missile and the successful "Project T" variant of the Russian Scud B. Reports from 2000 onward suggest that Egypt has been developing a longer-range variant based upon the liquid propellant Scud design, probably similar to the North Korean No-dong 1/2 missiles. Unconfirmed reports suggest the delivery of up to fifty No-dong missiles and engines to Egypt by the close of 2001. It is possible that they were procured through Syria.1
North Korea is reported to have provided help to Egypt since 1995. This variant is reported to be designed with a maximum range of 1,000-1,500 km (621-932 miles). It probably has the original Scud payload of 985 kg and likely has a similar accuracy to the North Korean Scud B of 450 m CEP.2
Egypt's older Scud missiles were used to strike Israel in the 1973 Yom Kippur war and the production of Scud variants has increased Egypt's ability to strike at Israel. Though older Scuds can be intercepted by Israel's existing Arrow anti-ballistic missile system, longer-range missiles can be angled in a way that increases their terminal speed beyond Israel's ability to intercept. Such an attack would undoubtedly provoke a large-scale response and threaten to involve the United States. The added possibility of Islamic terrorists striking with Scud missiles adds a dangerous third element, particularly if equipped with a chemical, biological or nuclear payload. Additionally, reports from 2003 on indicate that Egypt is researching another short range ballistic missile. In development is a weapon with range just beyond the "Scud B" range fueled by solid propellant. It appears that this weapon is much like the North Korean model of the "Scud C."3
‘Scud B' missiles have been exported to: Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Egypt, Georgia, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Libya, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Syria, Turkmenistan, UAE, Ukraine, Vietnam, and Yemen. Unconfirmed reports between 1996 and 2000 have suggested that ‘Scud B' missiles have also been purchased by Armenia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Pakistan, Peru, and the Sudan.4
A more complete analysis of the original missile design can be found for the Russian Scud B description.
Footnotes
- Anthony H. Cordesman, Arab-Israeli Military Forces in An Era of Asymmetric Wars: The Military Forces of Egypt ( Praeger Publishers, June 2006) Praeger Security International http://www.psi.praeger.com/"Egypt" accessed on June 8, 2008
- Duncan Lennox, ed., Jane's Strategic Weapons Systems 41 (Surrey: Jane's Information Group, July 2004), 5.
- Lennox, ed., Jane's Strategic Weapons Systems 42 (Surrey: Jane's Information Group, January 2005), 145-148.
- Lennox Volume 46, page 41.
Rubin: Iran “Major Missile Power” in Region
November 30, 2006 :: UPI :: Analysis
Uzi Rubin, former head of Israel’s missile defense program, argues in a new study published by the Institute for National Security Studies that Iran is now “the major missile power” in the Middle East. “No other country in the world … comes close to Iran in the number and variety of ballistic missiles in development or already deployed,” Rubin writes. He lists Iran’s assets: Shahab-3 medium-range missiles, an “an indispensable complement to [Iran’s] nuclear ambitions”; Scud B and Scud C short-range missiles, manufactured “in considerable quantities”; Zelzal short-range missiles, which can target troop concentrations; the Raad, an advanced version of the Chinese Silkworm anti-ship cruise missile; and an assortment of smaller anti-tank missiles. “Every major city and military installation between the western shores of Turkey and the eastern border of Pakistan and between the Black Sea in the north and the southern narrows of the Red Sea are within range,” he writes. Moreover, Iran can now hit any point in the Middle East from well-protected, fixed silos “survivable against preemption.” He warns: “There should be no doubt that in case of conflict, Iran will launch Shahab-3 missiles regardless of their flight test record, and that some of them will reach their destinations.” Rubin adds that Iran is also developing satellites, and that any suitably modified space launch vehicle can serve as an intercontinental ballistic missile. At the rate they are going, “Iranian missiles will dominate the entire continent of Europe by the end of this decade,” he concludes. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Israel, Iran, Analysis
» Missile details: Shahab-6, Scud variant, Scud B/C/D variants, Zelzal-1/2/3
