| Country: |
Iraq |
| Alternate Name: |
Al-Samed |
| Class: |
SRBM |
| Payload: |
Single warhead, 300 kg |
| Warhead: |
HE |
| Propulsion: |
2-stage liquid |
| Range: |
200 km |
| Status: |
Unknown |
Details
The Al Samoud is a short-range, road mobile, liquid propellant ballistic missile. It is based on the Russian SA-2 'Guideline' surface-to-air missile and is believed to have a range of 200 km (124 miles), though it originally described as a 140 km (87 miles) range missile. This was likely an understatement to avoid the United Nations ban on Iraqi missiles with ranges greater than 150 km (93.2057 miles). Nearly the whole of the development of the Al Samoud occurred after the First Gulf War.
The Al Samoud is a short-ranged missile likely designed for striking strategic targets. While its accuracy is unknown, it is likely too low to be used effectively on a battlefield. However, as it has lower range than previous Iraqi designs it likely has higher accuracy. This accuracy should be sufficient to strike strategic targets such as production facilities, oil fields, military complexes or civilian population centers. If equipped with submunitions, it could be used against military targets, as the widespread area of damage compensates for the lack of accuracy. With the change of government following the Second Gulf War, the direct threat from the Al Samoud has been replaced by the possibility that the missile or technology has been transferred to radical groups or other countries.
The Al Samoud missile is stated to have a 200 km (124 mile) range in a 2002 United Kingdom's government report, though the Iraqi estimate is 140 km (87 miles). The missile has a stated payload of 300 kg, placed in a single warhead. The missile would likely use a warhead similar to previous Iraqi designs, equipped with high explosives, submunitions, chemical agents, or a biological weapon. It is presumed to use an inertial guidance system and have poor accuracy in the area of between 500 and 1000 m CEP. It uses a two-stage, solid propellant engine.
The Al Samoud is believed to have entered development in 1991. Designs of a similar missile designated the J-1 took place through 1993, and the program was not reported to the United Nations weapons inspectors until 1995. Static engine tests for the Al Samoud were reported for 1996 and 1997. Reports are conflicted over whether or not the first test flight was in 1995 or in 1997. It is believed to have started production in 1998, with a total of eight test flights completed by 2000. It is believed that Iraq was developing longer-ranged versions of the Al Samoud by clustering multiple engines and adding third stages. A United Kingdom government report in 2002 stated that fifty Al Samoud missiles had been constructed. The Al Samoud missile was fired against coalition forces during the Second Gulf War. It was probably terminated following the fall of Iraq.(1)
Footnotes
- globalsecurity.org, "Libyan Missiles," available at http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/libya/missile.htm, accessed on July 3 2007.
Duelfer Report: Russia Aided Iraq Missile Programs
October 8, 2004 :: The Moscow Times :: News
According to a report recently presented to the U.S. Congress by U.S. weapons inspector Charles Duelfer, Russian engineers were traveling to Iraq to aid Saddam Hussein’s missile program from 1999 and 2003. Hussein had requested Russian help and missile systems—and in some cases received them. North Korea also helped Iraq develop its Al-Samoud 2 missiles.
In addition, the report notes that Iraq wanted to acquire the Russian air defense system, the S-300, apparently via a son of former Syrian Defense Minister Mustafah. The report did however say that an Iraqi engineer had “gained access” to an S-300 system.
An excerpt of the report:
• ISG uncovered evidence that technicians and engineers from Russia reviewed the designs and assisted development of the Al Samud II during its rapid evolution. ISG also found that Iraq had entered into negotiations with North Korean and Russian entities for more capable missile systems.
• According to contract information exploited by ISG, Iraq imported at least 380 SA-2/Volga [a.k.a., S-75] liquid-propellant engines from Poland and possibly Russia or Belarus. While Iraq claims these engines were for the Al Samud II program, the numbers involved appear in excess of immediate requirements, suggesting they could have supported the longer range missiles using clusters of SA-2 engines. Iraq also imported missile guidance and control systems from entities in countries like Belarus, Russia and Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY).
(Article, Link)
» Key Findings of Duelfer Report
» Vol. 2 of Duelfer Report, on Iraqi missile systems and nuclear programs
» More stories on: Former Soviet Republics, Proliferation, Russia
» Missile details: Al Samoud
» Missile system details for: S-75 (SA-2 Guideline), S-300V (SA-12A Gladiator, SA-12B Giant)
