Smurf-Herder
12-16-2009, 10:16 PM
2-Stage solid fuel. Far, faster, more accurate, with virtually no warning time on launch. It's a first-strike weapon, designed to threaten Europe. They don't need these for Israel. They have over 500 Shahab Missiles that can reach Israel, along with anything Syria, Hezbollah and Hamas want to throw in. These missiles are meant for Europe.
Iran Tests New Version of Missile that Can Reach Europe, Israel
http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-FC561_1216ir_F_20091216134844.jpg
Iranian state media reported Wednesday that Tehran successfully test-fired an enhanced version of a solid-fuel medium-range missile, as U.S. and Western powers prepare to push for new economic sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program.
Iran said it fired an "optimized" version of its Sajjil-2, a medium-range missile capable of hitting Israel, according to Iranian media.
Tehran first tested the weapon in May, claiming it marked a significant milestone in its missile-technology efforts. In May, Iran said the Sajjil-2 had a range of 2,000 kilometers, or about 1,200 miles. That would make it capable of reaching Israel and the Black Sea coast of European Union members Romania and Bulgaria, though that isn't different than range capabilities claimed in previous missile launches.
Iran said, however, the missile was more sophisticated than earlier models, and propelled by a solid-fuel system, which would make it easier to deploy than liquid-fuel missiles.
Iran's state media reported Wednesday the updated version is faster, harder to shoot down and quicker to launch.
Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi, Iran's defense minister, said in comments to state media the new weapon was defensive in nature. "Iran's missile capabilities are strictly defensive and at the service of regional peace and stability," Gen. Vahidi said. "They will never be [used] against any country."
Iran has a history of conducting war games and unveiling what is says are military innovations during times of international pressure.
President Barack Obama has given an end-of-year deadline for progress in talks with Iran over its alleged nuclear ambitions. Washington and other capitals have ratcheted up threats of fresh sanctions as that deadline approaches.
The White House said Wednesday's test would increase the international community's resolve. "There's no doubt that, given this environment, missile tests do nothing but undermine the Iranian claims" that its nuclear program has peaceful aims, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters.
In October, the U.S., France, Russia and the International Atomic Energy Agency hammered out a tentative deal to exchange uranium with Iran. The pact envisioned Iran shipping out the bulk of its low-enriched uranium. Russia would further enrich it before sending it back to Iran for use in a medical research reactor.
But Iran never agreed to the deal. Over the weekend, Iran's foreign minister offered Tehran's clearest counterproposal: to swap a limited amount of its own low-enriched fuel for higher-enriched uranium on the Iranian island of Kish. Western officials dismissed the offer.
The U.S. has threatened to unveil fresh, unilateral sanctions if it can't get broader support for United Nations-backed measures.
In response to the missile test Wednesday, Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Silvan Shalom said there was no need for the U.S. and Europe to wait for a decision in the U.N. Security Council to impose sanctions on Iran, according to Israeli radio. Mr. Shalom called for sanctions to be imposed immediately.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126095076216093383.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLENextto WhatsNewsTop
Iran's "Euro-missile" goes into production
http://www.dcjunkies.com/showthread.php?t=9293&highlight=europe+iran+missile
Iran Tests New Version of Missile that Can Reach Europe, Israel
http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-FC561_1216ir_F_20091216134844.jpg
Iranian state media reported Wednesday that Tehran successfully test-fired an enhanced version of a solid-fuel medium-range missile, as U.S. and Western powers prepare to push for new economic sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program.
Iran said it fired an "optimized" version of its Sajjil-2, a medium-range missile capable of hitting Israel, according to Iranian media.
Tehran first tested the weapon in May, claiming it marked a significant milestone in its missile-technology efforts. In May, Iran said the Sajjil-2 had a range of 2,000 kilometers, or about 1,200 miles. That would make it capable of reaching Israel and the Black Sea coast of European Union members Romania and Bulgaria, though that isn't different than range capabilities claimed in previous missile launches.
Iran said, however, the missile was more sophisticated than earlier models, and propelled by a solid-fuel system, which would make it easier to deploy than liquid-fuel missiles.
Iran's state media reported Wednesday the updated version is faster, harder to shoot down and quicker to launch.
Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi, Iran's defense minister, said in comments to state media the new weapon was defensive in nature. "Iran's missile capabilities are strictly defensive and at the service of regional peace and stability," Gen. Vahidi said. "They will never be [used] against any country."
Iran has a history of conducting war games and unveiling what is says are military innovations during times of international pressure.
President Barack Obama has given an end-of-year deadline for progress in talks with Iran over its alleged nuclear ambitions. Washington and other capitals have ratcheted up threats of fresh sanctions as that deadline approaches.
The White House said Wednesday's test would increase the international community's resolve. "There's no doubt that, given this environment, missile tests do nothing but undermine the Iranian claims" that its nuclear program has peaceful aims, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters.
In October, the U.S., France, Russia and the International Atomic Energy Agency hammered out a tentative deal to exchange uranium with Iran. The pact envisioned Iran shipping out the bulk of its low-enriched uranium. Russia would further enrich it before sending it back to Iran for use in a medical research reactor.
But Iran never agreed to the deal. Over the weekend, Iran's foreign minister offered Tehran's clearest counterproposal: to swap a limited amount of its own low-enriched fuel for higher-enriched uranium on the Iranian island of Kish. Western officials dismissed the offer.
The U.S. has threatened to unveil fresh, unilateral sanctions if it can't get broader support for United Nations-backed measures.
In response to the missile test Wednesday, Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Silvan Shalom said there was no need for the U.S. and Europe to wait for a decision in the U.N. Security Council to impose sanctions on Iran, according to Israeli radio. Mr. Shalom called for sanctions to be imposed immediately.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126095076216093383.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLENextto WhatsNewsTop
Iran's "Euro-missile" goes into production
http://www.dcjunkies.com/showthread.php?t=9293&highlight=europe+iran+missile