India:  New Delhi Planning Agni 3 Long-Range Missile Test

India said yesterday it hopes to test its Agni 3 long-range, nuclear-capable ballistic missile this year (see GSN, Feb. 6).

“The test firing of Agni 3 is overdue and we feel the need for that long-range missile as part of our policy of deterrence,” Indian Defense Minister George Fernandes was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India.

The Agni 3 is believed to have a 2,100-mile range, according to the Federation of American Scientists.  Fernandes also said yesterday the Agni 1 and 2 missiles, both nuclear-capable, are in production and ready for deployment in India’s military (see GSN, Jan. 9).

The Brahmos supersonic cruise missile, with a range of about 185 miles, is also ready for deployment, Fernandes said (see GSN, Jan. 21).

“(The) supersonic cruise missile Brahmos is something exclusive.  Nobody else has this missile today,” Fernandes said.  “We are ready now (for deployment).  All tests are complete,” he said (Neelesh Misra, Associated Press/Yahoo.com, April 6).

Back to top

North Korea:  Pyongyang Attempting to Obtain Russian Systems Through Syria

North Korea is attempting to import Russian-made ballistic missile and rocket systems through Syria in order to improve its own missile forces, Agence France-Presse reported today (see GSN, April 1).

North Korea plans to use the Russian systems, including the Iskandar-E tactical missile and the Smerch multiple-launch rocket system, to improve the guidance system and other functions of its long-range missiles, the Japanese newspaper Sankei Shimbun reported.  In exchange for Syria providing the Russian systems, North Korea will aid Damascus in its own missile development efforts.  Russia has reportedly not been informed of the agreement  (Agence France-Presse/Washington Times, April 4).

North Korea Criticizes Missile Sanctions

Meanwhile, Pyongyang has reacted to Washington’s recent sanctions and condemnation over alleged missile exports to Pakistan (see GSN, April 2).

“Explicitly speaking, it is an indisputable sovereign right of the D.P.R.K. to produce and deploy missiles to protect its sovereignty and supreme interests and export them to other countries within the framework of normal military cooperation,” according to Pyongyang’s official news outlet, Korean Central News Agency.

The KCNA statement said Pyongyang has never signed the Missile Technology Control Regime and “is not legally bound to anything in terms of missile export and the transfer of technology” (Reuters, April 4).

Back to top

About Newswire  |  Contact National Journal  |  Re-Use Guidelines

HOME  |  CONTACT US  |  GET INVOLVED  |  SITE MAP