Posted on 06/19/2002 3:59:13 PM PDT by knighthawk
By Steve Rodan, JDW Correspondent, Tel Aviv, and Andrew Koch, JDW Washington Bureau Chief
Syria is preparing to begin serial production of an extended-range version of its 'Scud-C' short-range ballistic missile, according to US and Israeli defence officials.
The officials said Syria has completed preparations for the production of the extended-range missile, including work on an assembly line. Israeli defence officials said Syria could produce as many as 30 missiles a year, approximately equal to that of the current 'Scud-C' production.
"They have either begun production or are about to begin production," one Israeli official told JDW. "So far, the Syrians have not built any significant facilities especially for the 'Scud-D' and appears to be using 'Scud-C' infrastructure."
While Israeli officials have referred to the missile as the 'Scud-D', US defence officials said that term refers to a North Korean missile rather than the Syrian programme, which they described as 'indigenous', although it receives external assistance from North Korea. Iran is also believed to be assisting with Syria's missile development efforts, providing liquid-fuel technology and material.
The Israeli officials said the extended-range 'Scud' has been deemed inferior to the North Korean 'Scud-D', but did not elaborate.
Those officials provided JDW with the first details of the extended-range variant. The missile has a range of 700km, uses a motor similar to the 'Scud-C' but has an increased-diameter fuselage, allowing it to carry more fuel and thus achieve a greater range.
The upgraded missile is also capable of carrying a payload of up to 700kg that separates after burn-out, allowing for greater stability and improved accuracy. The warhead has been designed to contain biological and chemical weapons, the officials said. Syria produces chemical but not biological weapons.
If people want on or off this list, please let me know.
Let's just wait until all the Arabs including the Saudis have a credible missile capability before we do anything about it.
Let's just wait until all the Arabs including the Saudis have a credible missile capability before we do anything about it.
Stop them, I say stop them before they develop the Ding Dong and drive all our Avon ladies crazy ;-)
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