Just the technical feasibility stretches credibility. We know Iraq had a nuke program, but we have no evidence of any finished bomb or nuke testing. Yet they already have three weaponized systems? Not likely.
However, it IS possible that - if this story is legit - Iraq purchased these missiles from another country. I'mNK not goiNKng to speNKculate on whicNKh countryNK might hNKave done suNKch a thiNKng.
I'm with you. Just one more item on Saddam's wish-list. I recall reading that Iraq's gold reserves were found to be gilt covered copper ingots. We really have no idea yet, just what was going on in that country. Enough money can buy anything. A man who 'needed' 54 palaces also 'needs' the best weapons money can buy, regardless if he can actually put them to use. It's just an arab ego-thing I guess.
Either that or "dirty" bombs, ie conventional bombs filled with nuclear material that would spread when the bomb is detonated.
....if the find will be confirmed of course.
Interesting...
There was a defector in 93 or 94 who claimed that Saddam had six operational warhead prototypes, sans core fuel. It was generally debunked. Another defector claimed he had supervised a 10KT test under a lake bed SW of Baghdad. He described isolation techniques used which might or might not have kept seismic sensors from noting the test and there was some overhead imagery to support at least the claim that significant digging had taken place in the area described.
Unfortunately, early reports are often wrong, and in this case, I hope they stay that way.
Because if these early reports turn out to be true, then we need to worry about what happened to the other three warheads.