Posted on 02/13/2010 5:00:30 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
A Pentagon review of ballistic missile defenses highlights Iran’s missile programs and reveals that Iran test-fired a new medium-range missile late last year. “The threat posed by ballistic missile delivery systems is likely to increase while growing more complex over the next decade,” the Ballistic Missile Defense Review Report stated. “This judgment by the Intelligence Community is borne out by recent events, such as Iran’s launch of a new mobile, solid-propellant medium range ballistic missile (MRBM) in December 2009.”
Iran has not said it plans to field an ICBM missile but continues to pursue missiles of longer-range and its space launch program is believed to be a cover for that development.
The report noted that Iran launched its Safir Space Launch Vehicle (SLV) in August 2008 with what it claimed was a dummy satellite. Iran used the Safir-2 SLV to place the domestically produced Omid satellite in orbit in February 2009. “Despite continued diplomatic efforts Iran also continues to defy its international obligations on its nuclear program, further reducing international confidence in the nature of its program,” the report said. “These factors only compound international concerns about the intent of its ballistic missile program.”
After the report was released, Iran conducted another test of its space launcher last week.
Additionally, Iran also has a large number of missiles that threaten U.S. forces and allies in the region. “It has developed and acquired ballistic missiles capable of striking deployed forces, allies, and partners in the Middle East and Eastern Europe,” the report said. “It is fielding increased numbers of mobile regional ballistic missiles and has claimed that it has incorporated anti-missile-defense tactics and capabilities into its ballistic missile forces.”
The Iranian missile program has been helped by Russia, China, and North Korea.
(Excerpt) Read more at geostrategy-direct.com ...
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