Saudi Arabia Parades its Ballistic Missiles

Example of Chinese DF-3/fas.org

For the first time ever the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has publicly displayed its Chinese-made DF-3 (Dong Feng-3) missiles in a parade attended by dignitaries from Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE – all of course fellow Gulf Cooperation Council member states.

The missiles were paraded at the end of the Saudi kingdoms largest military exercise -- the 'Saif Abdullah'.

It was in March 1988 China provided Saudi Arabia DF-3's with conventional warheads. Guesstimates about how many of these missiles the Saudis have range from 30 to 120.

The missile accuracy is very poor and it is of course very antiquated. They have been around since the early 1970's and are the oldest IRBM's China has in its arsenal.

 

Last July satellite images revealed a surface-to-surface missile base located in the Saudi desert – 200km west-southwest of Riyadh – with launch pads pointing these DF-3 missiles, which have a range of approximately 2500km, at Tel Aviv and Tehran respectively. 

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On the topic of Saudi-Iran relations Arash Karami at Al-Monitor last week wrote up an analysis about the controversy stirred among hard-liners in Iran over a warm meeting between Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani and the new Saudi appointed ambassador to Iran, Abdulrahman Bin Groman Shahri. Throughout the course of the meeting Mr. Rafsanjani made clear his desire to see a reduction in the tensions between the two nations stressing that, "If the two countries are harmonized on regional issues and the Islamic world, seditionists will not be able to induce differences between Muslims."

IRGC-ASF takes mass delivery of latest Iranian ballistic missile types

According to MODAFL and Iranian media sources, in a ceremony attended by Iranian Minister of Defense IRGC Brigadier General Dehgan, the IRGC-ASF has accepted mass delivery of Ghadr-H MRBMs and Qiam SRBMs (claimed capable of MRV payloads), as well as Fateh-110-D SRBMs and Khalij Fars ASBMs.

There can be no doubt that this publicized delivery, in addition to the defense-related publicity last week involving no less than President Rouhani, is a direct response to U.S. inclusion of ballistic missiles in the ongoing nuclear talks. Iranian officials have publicly pushed back on this inclusion, as is further evident with this latest publicity.

In addition to ballistic missiles, the Iranians are also claiming a mass delivery to IRIADF of Mersad air defense systems.

Numbers of IRGC-ASF Ghadr-H MRBMs

Numbers of Ghadr-H MRBMs with Qiam SRBMs visible in back

Detail of IRGC-ASF Ghadr-H MRBM claimed capable of MRV payloads

Assumed to be Qiam SRBMs claimed capable of MRV payloads

Another structure stocked with IRGC-ASF ballistic missiles

Over twenty ballistic missiles apparent in this view

Examples of Fateh-110-D SRBM and Khalij Fars ASBM

Detail of Fateh-110-D SRBM

Fateh-110-D SRBM sections

Fateh-110-D SRBM sections with serials

Minister of Defense IRGC Brigadier General Dehgan as seen at delivery ceremony

Claimed mass delivery to IRIADF Khatam al-Anbiya Air Defense Base of Mersad air defense systems. Above: upgraded MIM-23B I-HAWK type surface-to-air missiles.

Mersad air defense system's Kavosh pulse acquisition radar (upgraded AN/MPQ-50)

Mersad air defense system's Jouiya continuous wave acquisition radar

Photos: MODAFL

'U.S. adopts Israeli demand on Iran's missiles' - Gareth Porter

 

Above: TEL-mounted Iranian IRGC-ASF MRBMs on parade, Sacred Defense Week 2012 

Per Gareth Porter in Asia Times Online:

The Barack Obama administration's insistence that Iran discuss its ballistic missile program in the negotiations for a comprehensive nuclear agreement brings its position into line with that of Israel and senators who introduced legislation drafted by the pro-Israel lobby group AIPAC aimed at torpedoing the negotiations.

But the history of the issue suggests that the Obama administration knows that Iran will not accept the demand and that it is not necessary to a final agreement guaranteeing that Iran's nuclear program is not used for a weapon.

White House spokesman Jay Carney highlighted the new US demand in a statement Wednesday that the Iranians "have to deal with matters related to their ballistic missile program".

Carney cited United Nations Security Council resolution 1929, approved in 2010, which prohibited any activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including missile launches. "So that's completely agreed by Iran in the Joint Plan of Action," he added.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif not only explicitly contradicted Carney's claim that Iran had agreed to discuss ballistic missiles but warned that a US demand for discussion of its missile program would violate a red line for Iran.

"Nothing except Iran's nuclear activities will be discussed in the talks with the [six powers known as the P5+1], and we have agreed on it," he said, according to Iran's IRNA.

The pushback by Zarif implies that the US position would seriously risk the breakdown of the negotiations if the Obama administration were to persist in making the demand.

Contrary to Carney's statement, the topic of ballistic missiles is not part of the interim accord reached last November. The Joint Plan of Action refers only to "addressing the UN Security Council resolutions, with a view toward bringing to a satisfactory conclusion the UN Security Council's consideration of this matter" and the formation of a "Joint Commission" which would "work with the IAEA to facilitate resolution of past and present issues of concern".

It would be politically untenable for the Rouhani administration to render compromised what Iran's defense spcialists consider a vital pillar of their defense doctrine based on deterrence from attack: their ballistic missile force, indigenous manufacturing program and research/development. If it were to do so, the Rouhani administration--which is already out on a political limb with its ongoing nuclear talks-- would no doubt be cited by political power centers inside Iran for being irresponsible and derelict in its duty to protect the country.

On first day of Vienna talks, U.S. presses Iran on ballistic missiles

 

Above: IRGC-ASF parades thirty TEL-mounted MRBMs, September 2013

According to the Wall Street Journal:

Talks on a permanent Iran nuclear accord opened Tuesday with the U.S. pressing Tehran to agree the deal should encompass caps on its expanding ballistic missile capabilities.

The dispute is the latest in a growing number of issues that divide Washington and Tehran as the Obama administration seeks to use diplomacy to end the military threat posed by Iran's nuclear program.

The U.S. and its allies view Iran's missiles as part of the country's potential nuclear threat, thus a subject for the talks on a permanent nuclear agreement.

"They have to deal with matters related to their ballistic missile program," said White House spokesman Jay Carney.

But Iran says the missiles are part of its defense establishment and beyond the limits of nuclear talks. In any case, the issue of whether Iran's ballistic missile capabilities will be on the agenda already has exposed a rift between the Americans and Iranians.

Focusing on Iranian defense-related issues on the first day of negotiations in Vienna serves to deflect and throw off balance Iran's stated agenda of demonstrating its nuclear program is peaceful in nature.

This is the sort of thing the SL branch of IRIG, the IRGC and a majority of Iran's parliament have been expecting, in their publicly voiced pessimism that these talks would not succeed.

Like the previous Khatami administration during the early 2000's where Iran made attempts at improving relations with the U.S., Britain and France, engaging in negotiations in 2003 that went nowhere and even going so far as assisting U.S. military endeavors during the lead-up and initial phase of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, the current Rouhani administration has gone out on a political limb in again reaching out to the United States with hopes of improved relations.

By focusing on matters of Iran's defense crucial to its doctrine of deterrence from attack, the Obama administration risks missing opportunities the likes of which missed during the Bush administration, and by doing so potentially providing a domestically perceived sense of vindication to political forces inside Iran dismissive or outright resistant to yet another Iranian outreach effort.

India tests Agni-V nuclear-capable missile, ranging much of Eurasia

 

According to Reuters:

India successfully test-fired for a second time a nuclear-capable missile on Sunday that can reach Beijing and much of Europe, bringing a step closer production of a weapon designed to strengthen its nuclear deterrent.

The Agni-V is the most advanced version of the indigenously built Agni, or Fire, series, part of a programme that started in the 1960s. Earlier versions could reach old rival Pakistan and western China.

The Agni-V missile was first tested in April 2012. It is mostly domestically built and has a range of about 5,000 km (3,100 miles). Only the U.N. Security Council permanent members - China, France, Russia the United States and Britain - along with Israel, are believed to have such long-range weapons.

Below are potential ranges of Agni type ballistic missiles fired from Wheeler Island which is near the eastern edge of India. Provided by a department of the Indian government, the intent of this illustration is to depict potential Indian WMD targeting of Beijing, while minimizing the threat to Europe.

Unlike the United States, India (like China) has publicly renounced nuclear first strikes. Even so, Iranian defense planners have got to be vexed by nuclear weapon delivery advances within their geographical neighborhood.  There exists open source citations of at least one example of COMINT where a high ranking IRGC officer has been voiced heated criticism of Iran's non-nuclear weapon policy, Fortunately Iran's military is under civilian control, with the SL branch of IRIG accorded commander-in-chief, and MODAFL overview and responsibility selected by the executive branch.

Iran Denies Missile and Nuclear Cooperation with North Korea

Iran today denied South Korean and Japanese reports that its military personnel and missile experts were in North Korea participating in a planned launch of a long-term rocket and strengthening cooperation in missile and nuclear developments.

“The claim made regarding missile and nuclear cooperation (between Iran and North Korea) is baseless propaganda and they are trying to create fear so they can undermine our relations with others,” said Ramin Mehmanparast, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman. (IRNA, 11 December)

On Monday, South Korea’s Chosun Ilbo newspaper said a group of Iranian missile experts was in North Korea “offering technical assistance for the planned launch of a rocket which Pyongyang terms a peaceful mission.” (AFP, 11 December)

Earlier this month, Japan’s Kyodo News Agency had quoted a Western diplomatic source as saying Iran had stationed defense personnel in North Korea since October “to strengthen cooperation in missile and nuclear developments.” (AFP, 11 December)

MRBMs of Great Prophet IV - Updated

(Click photos to enlarge)

Shahab-3 "Shooting Star" MRBM

Sejil-2 "Baked Clay" MRBM

Great Prophet IV Wargames, Stage 2 & 3 - Updated

Iran's IRGC Air Force successfully conducted its second and third rounds of ballistic missile tests, during the Great Prophet IV wargames.


Monday morning, the IRGC successfully tested an optimized version of the Shahab-3 MRBM, with an improved navigation system and greater accuracy. Range of the Shahab-3 is claimed at up to 1,200 miles (2,000 kilometers). Fars News Agency reported that Iran has equipped its Shahab class missiles with new warheads, capable of destroying multiple targets simultaneously.


There are media reports that Iran also fired a solid-fueled Sejil MRBM. (Note: above photos distributed by Iranian state media are actually file pics from a previous launch date.)


There were test firings reported Sunday night for the Shahab-1 and Shahab-2 MRBMs, with ranges of 185 miles (300 kilometers) and 435 miles (700 kilometers) respectively. (Note: right-side photo distributed by Iranian state media is actually a file pic from a previous launch date. Not sure about the left-side photo.)

SRBMs of Great Prophet IV

(Click photos to enlarge)

Tondar-69 (CSS-8) "Thunder" SRBM

Fateh-110 "Conquerer" SRBM

Zelzal "Earthquake" SRBM with new twin launcher system

Great Prophet IV Wargames, Stage 1 - Updated

The first day of "Great Prophet IV" (Payambar-e Azam) wargames included test firing of the Fateh-110, Tondar-69 and Zelzal missile systems. These three types are solid-fueled, short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM).

Brigadier General Hossein Salami, head of the IRGC Air Force, told reporters that the IRGC tested an experimental multiple launcher for the first time. Fars News Agency provided a photo of a dual launcher setup for the Zelzal missile system.

"The message of the war game for some arrogant countries which attempt to intimidate us is that we are able to give a proper, strong answer to their hostility quickly," Press TV quoted Brigadier General Salami as saying. He said the missiles successfully hit their targets. He further stated that Iranian engineers had enhanced the speed and precision of the missiles so they could be used in short-term or quick engagements. Now these missiles are able to be launched from positions that are not as easy to hit, he added.

Iran's Fateh missile has a range of 155 miles (250 kilometers), and is the most accurate missile in the IRGC arsenal. Fateh means "conqueror" in Farsi and Arabic. The Tondar-69 (CSS-8), meaning "thunder" in Farsi, has a range of about 95 miles (150 kilometers). Zelzal missiles, which come in three variants, have ranges of 95, 130 and 250 miles (150, 210 and 400 kilometers). Zelzal in Farsi means "earthquake".

Brigadier General Salami said the IRGC would test newly modified medium-range Shahab-1 and Shahab-2 missiles on Sunday night and long-range Shahab-3 missiles on Monday, during the drill which is set to last several days.

Update:


Specific aims of the Great Prophet IV missile exercises:
- Analysis of technical developments and tactics
- Increase accuracy
- Reducing the missile launch timing using new navigational systems
- New modifications to the warheads
- Using unprepared launch sites
- Testing multiple warheads
- Coordinated launch timing of multiple rockets and missiles
- Multiple launch coordination from unprepared sites to predetermined targets
- Reducing launch preperation timing


Above: IRGC Sukhoi Su-25UBK attack planes participating in the wargame.

Imminent IRGC Ballistic Missile Exercises

The Iranians have scheduled another show of strength for tomorrow, Sept. 27. From Fars News Agency:

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Air Force is scheduled to stage massive missile exercises tomorrow, an IRGC statement announced on Saturday. In the statement, the IRGC underlined that the wargames, codenamed as "Payambar-e Azam 4 (The Great Messenger)", are aimed at exercising annual and regular defense programs as well as maintaining and promoting the deterrent power of the Islamic Republic Armed Forces.

Western nations opposed to Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile ambitions are certain to react negatively toward this display of Iranian military deterrence. It is sure to ratchet up tensions even further before the Oct. 1 talks in Geneva, Switzerland.

It will be interesting to see which missile types take part in the wargame.

Iranian Motorized MANPADS Teams - Updated

Two teams on two motorcycles, armed with the Misagh-2 man-portable infrared guided surface to air missile (MANPADS).

Note camouflage full-face helmets worn by motorbike operators (foregoing riding gloves), as well as the bike's camo bodywork and seat upholstery.

Visible in the upper left portion of the photo is an encased Koran, opened to a specific passage, as part of the parade decoration.
IRGC now using 3-color desert camo BDUs. Sepah insignia seen on helmet and BDU front left pocket.

On display at the 2009 Sacred Defense parade in Tehran.

Sacred Defense Week Parades Pt. 5 Missiles

For additional pics of missiles at the Sacred Defense Week Parades, click here.

No New Shahab-3 -- New York Times

The New York Times is reporting today that Iran did not launch a new variant of Shahab-3 as claimed.

“Iran’s missile test this week did not demonstrate any new capabilities, according to a US official familiar with the intelligence, and the test may not have included one of the longer-range missiles Iran claims as among those launched,” The New York Times reported on 12 July.

Iranian officials claimed the tests demonstrated a new variant of the Shahab missile that had a range of 1,250 miles. Such a missile would put Israel in striking distance.

Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said the test should still be taken seriously.

“They were not testing new technologies or capabilities, but rather firing off old equipment in an attempt to intimidate their neighbors and escalate tensions in the region,” Morrell said [The New York Times, 12 July].

Iran Builds New Missile, Submarine

The New Ghadir-class Submarine

The Iranian military reported it has manufactured a new ballistic missile with a range of 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles). At this range, the new missile, called Ashura, would be capable of reaching US bases in the Middle East as well as Israel.

The military also reported it has manufactured a Ghadir-class submarine which will be delivered to the navy tomorrow. The light submarine will be capable of rapid maneuvers at high speed and is fitted with the latest electronics and communications gears, the navy claims.

The navy is planning to conduct war games next February in the Straits of Hormuz, the entrance to the Persian Gulf.

Ashura is the newest in Iran’s ballistic missile inventory. In September, Iran test-fired Ghadr-1, a missile with 1,800 km (1,100 miles) range.