| Country: |
Iran |
| Associated Country: |
People's Republic of China |
| Alternate Name: |
DF-11/CSS-7 |
| Class: |
SRBM |
| Basing: |
Road mobile |
| Length: |
7.50 m |
| Diameter: |
0.80 m |
| Launch Weight: |
3800 kg |
| Payload: |
Single warhead, 500 kg |
| Warhead: |
HE |
| Propulsion: |
Single-stage solid |
| Range: |
400 km |
| Status: |
Unknown |
Details
The Iranian M-11 is a short-range, road mobile, solid-propellant ballistic missile domestically produced and based off of the exported version from the People's Republic of China (PRC). Like most PRC exports, it is nearly identical to a PRC domestically deployed version, in this case the DF-11. The DF-11 is the PRC's improvement upon the Russian "Scud B." The Chinese have phased out the M-11 in favor a longer range variant designated M-11A. The missile is distinct from the missile refered to as Shahab 1. The domestically produced Shahab-1 referred to instead as the ‘Scud B' variant, has greater payload and significantly heavier launch weight, than the speculated M-11 variant. Reports indicate a degree of uncertainty as to the status of the M-11 project.
As an improved Scud, M-11 is designed for deployment against fixed, large targets. Its range easily outdistances most conventional weapons, and the mobility obtained from a mobile launch vehicle allows it to be deployed during a military conflict. While it is insufficiently accurate to target individual military units, it could be used to attack small areas such as military bases, airfields and cities.
The original M-11 is 7.5 m in length, has a diameter of 0.8 m and an uncertain launch weight, but the original Chinese variant has a launch weight of approximately 3,800 kg. It is possible that the weight is significantly less on the Iranian variant in order to increase its range. the Iranian variant is classified as carrying a 500 kg warhead, which can be equipped with high explosive, chemical, sub-munitions, fuel-air explosive (FAE) or a nuclear yield of 2, 10 or 20 kT. It has a range that is supposedly 400 km, within the limits of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). The accuracy of the weapon would be increased with the projected separating warhead. The separating warhead is a design feature that requires the warhead to detach itself from the missile body and continue on to its objective. The warhead is then able to adjust its trajectory based on fin design and its range due to weight redistribution. This attribute would be unique to the Iranian version.
The Iranian M-11 variant appears to have been brought to Iran from China. It most likely would have occurred at the same time that Pakistan received similar weapons, designated Hatf-3. This time period is unclear but would have occurred before Pakistan's first successful test in 2002. The M-11 was reportedly brought in pieces and later reassembled. Reports indicate that the Iranians could have obtained up to eighty of these weapons along with their Transporter-Erector-Launcher vehicles. These reports remain unconfirmed as Iran has not displayed or tested this weapon.1 Reports confirm that the M-11 is the nuclear capable Pakistani Shaheen 1.2 Reports also confirm the transfeer of technology and support between Pakistan and Iran, in addition to Chinese aid.3
More information about the M-11 can be found in the description for the PRC DF-11/CSS-7.
Footnote
- Duncan Lennox, ed., Jane's Strategic Weapons Systems 46 (Surrey: Jane's Information Group, January 2007), 69.
- Bill Gertz ,"China's Broken Promises Outlined; Helms Makes List of Arms Offenses," The Washington Times, 23 July 2001, www.washtimes.com/ , Accessed 6 June 2008
- "Nukes for Sale," The Statesman, India, www.thestatesman.net, 2 March 2004, Accessed 6 June 2008.
