Egypt interested in missile defense

S-400 Triumf Battery

As a sign of growing concern in the Middle East over Iran’s ballistic missile and nuclear weapons program, Egypt has expressed interest in purchasing Russian made missile defense units. Egypt is expressing interest in S-400 Triumf (NATO name: SA-21 Growler) which is a land-based, mobile surface to air missile that has a reported range of around 400 miles.

Japan considering THAAD

THAAD Battery

A Japanese newspaper reported that the Japanese government is apparently considering acquiring the Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system. The report comes just two days after North Korea tested 7 more ballistic missiles that had the capability to reach much of Japan. These recent tests bring the total number of North Korean ballistic missile tests to 11 for the month of July alone.

While unconfirmed, it is believed that the THAAD system has a range of about 60 miles which is double the rage of the PAC-3 systems currently deployed in Japan. Additionally, it would take only a couple THAAD batteries to provide protection to Japan. Click here for more information about THAAD.

We will continue to follow this story as it develops.

Defense for a Real Threat

“Defense For a Real Threat”

Check out this Op-ed by former head of the Missile Defense Agency Lt. General (Ret) Trey Obering and former undersecretary of defense for policy Eric Edelman. The Op-ed argues that there are several common misperceptions about missile defense and the threats we face. Among these are the ideas that Iran poses no “near-term, long range Iranian missile threat” or that if Iran did pose a missile threat the “proposed U.S. system could not defeat such a threat.” Finally the two argue against the notion that the systems in Europe will threaten Russia’s nuclear deterrent.

These arguments ignore the very real progress Iran has been making in ballistic missile technology. As they point out, Iran has made significant progress in staging missiles and switching from liquid to solid propellants. Additionally he points to an April report of the National Air and Space Intelligence Center noted that “with sufficient foreign assistance, Iran could develop and test an ICBM capable of reaching the United States by 2015.” They then cite New York District Attorney Robert Morgenthau’s testimony in May to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee which outlines apparent Chinese support of the Iranian ballistic missile program.

They then argue that despite what critics would have you believe, missile defense is a proven technology. The radar that would be in the Czech Republic has actually operated flight tests in the South Pacific for more than 8 years and this doesn’t take in to account that it will be upgraded with newer technology in upcoming years. They then point to the fact that since 2001, 37 of 46 (80%success rate) missile defense intercept tests have been successful. They also stress the importance of not relying entirely on one defense system but rather having a multilayered integrated approach that allows for the greatest protection.

Finally, the notion that 10 kinetic interceptors (with no warhead) emplaced in Poland would have any effect on Russia’s nuclear deterrent is simply “incomprehensible.” They argue that while the system would manage the Iranian threat it would have no impact on Russia’s overpowering offensive capabilities.