|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
 |
 |
    |
|
|
|||
 |
|
||
|
|||
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
United States Amends Export Controls Based on MTCR ChangesBy Mike Nartker The MTCR seeks to restrict the export of critical missile technologies by establishing common export controls among the regime’s 33 members. Under the MTCR, the export of missile systems with a range of more than 300 kilometers and capable of carrying a payload of more than 500 kilograms are subject to a strong presumption of denial. At last year’s plenary meeting in Warsaw, MTCR members agreed to revise definitions of the terms “range” and “payload.” Regime members agreed that range would be the distance a missile is capable of traveling when flying at “range-maximizing” capability. Experts have said that the revised definition would help prevent cruise missile exporters from circumventing the MTCR by expressing a missile’s range as the distance capable when flying at sea level for stealth purposes. Regime members also agreed to a more explicit definition of payload, expanding the term to cover support structures and countermeasures as well as the actual warhead. According to last week’s notice, the BIS has amended the U.S. Export Administration Regulations to reflect the new definitions of range and payload. In addition, the bureau has also amended the Commerce Control List to reflect changes made last to the MTCR annex, the notice says. The new CCL entries include mixed oxides of nitrogen, integrated navigation systems and flight control servo valves. MTCR members are scheduled to meet this week in Buenos Aires for the regime’s 2004 plenary meeting.
From September 23, 2003 issue.India Introduces Agni Missiles Into ServiceIndia has decided to introduce two variants of its Agni ballistic missile into service, the Economic Times reported today (see GSN, Jan. 2). The Indian Army has created two new missile units — the 334 Missile Group, which will be armed with the short-range Agni 1 missile and the 335 Missile Group, which will be armed with the medium-range Agni 2, according to the Times. India has also decided to create two new missile units — the 444 and 555 Missile Groups — that will be armed with the Prithvi missile, according to the Times (see GSN, March 26). The Indian military currently deploys two Prithvi-armed units (Press Trust of India/Economic Times, Sept. 23).
From September 22, 2003 issue.India Considering Purchasing Israeli, Russian Ballistic MissilesIndian military planners are considering purchasing Israeli or Russian ballistic missiles to counter developments in Pakistan’s missile arsenal, Defense News reported today (see GSN, March 31). The Indian Defense Ministry has been involved in discussions with Israeli and Russian export officials for several months, Indian military officials said. They added that an Indian Army artillery team is scheduled to visit both countries this week for demonstrations of two missile systems. Ultimately, India could purchase as many as 36 Israeli or Russian missiles for as much as $800 million, Defense News reported. The Russian missile system being considered by Indian defense officials is the Iskander-E — a solid-fueled, single-stage missile with a range of 280 kilometers and capable of carrying a payload of up to 480 kilograms, according to an Indian defense source. The missile is deployed on a land-mobile launcher that is capable of carrying two missiles. India is also considering purchasing the Israeli-made Long Range Artillery (LORA) system, which has a range of more than 300 kilometers depending on the type of warhead used, the source said. The LORA system is capable of carrying a payload of up to 600 kilograms. Israel, however, has not yet approved a possible sale of the system to India, and the LORA system is not included in an annual catalogue of defense exports published by the Israeli Defense Ministry’s Sibat Arms Export Bureau, according to Defense News. A recently retired Israeli general has said that the export of the LORA system would not violate the Missile Technology Control Regime, which seeks to prevent ballistic missile proliferation by establishing common export control laws among members. The regime restricts the exports of missile systems and technology capable of delivering a 500-kilogram payload more than 300 kilometers. While Israel is not an MTCR member, it has said that it abides by the regime’s restrictions, Defense News reported. U.S. officials and some nonproliferation experts have warned that India’s possible purchase of Israeli and Russian missiles could further destabilize relations with Pakistan. “This will have to be viewed in Washington and in the international community as a bright red line, particularly if these missiles are mobile and solid-fueled,” said Theresa Hitchens, vice president of the Center for Defense Information. “It will force Pakistan to make some kind of countermove,” she said (Opall-Rome/Raghuvanshi, Defense News, Sept. 22).
From September 22, 2003 issue.Iran Displays Shahab 3 Ballistic Missiles in Military ParadeIran today displayed seven Shahab 3 ballistic missiles during a military parade held to mark the anniversary of its 1980-1988 war with Iraq, according to Agence France-Presse (see GSN, July 23). The missiles, which have a range of 1,300 kilometers and can carry a payload of up to 1,000 kilograms, were decorated with slogans such as “We will crush America under our feet” and “Israel must be wiped off the map,” AFP reported. The Shahab 3 formally entered into service in the Iranian military in July (Agence France-Presse, Sept. 22).
From September 19, 2003 issue.United States Penalizes Chinese Firm for Exporting Missile TechnologyBy Mike Nartker Last month, the United States determined that the state-owned China North Industries Corp. (Norinco) had engaged in missile technology proliferation activities, according to the notice (see GSN, July 3). Under the sanctions, which take effect today, Norinco will be prohibited from importing items controlled by the Missile Technology Control Regime annex or the Export Administration Act of 1979 and from entering into contracts with Washington relating to such items for two years. Norinco is also banned from exporting all goods to the United States for two years. Norinco is no stranger to U.S. sanctions, having been sanctioned twice for alleged missile-related transfers in the last four months. In July, the company was sanctioned for allegedly transferring items to Iran that could make a “material contribution” to Tehran’s WMD or ballistic missile programs. In May, the United States sanctioned Norinco for allegedly aiding Iran’s ballistic missile program (see GSN, May 23). Norinco, however, has denied providing missile assistance to other countries. Today’s notice does not identify the alleged recipient of the missile technology transfer that triggered the latest sanctions. In late July, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Verification and Compliance Paula DeSutter called on China to do more to curb ballistic missile exports, calling such exports the “most significant proliferation concern” the United States has with China (see GSN, July 28). During a hearing of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, DeSutter identified Norinco as a “serial proliferator.” “For some time, we have been alerting the Chinese government to our concerns about the activities of Norinco,” DeSutter said. “Nonetheless, the Chinese government appears to have taken no action to halt Norinco’s proliferant behavior,” she added. Today’s announced sanctions would also apply for two years against all other Chinese state-owned entities engaged in activities related to the development of ballistic missiles, electronics, space systems and military aircraft, according to the notice. The U.S. State Department determined, however, that it is “essential to the national security of the United States” to waive the additional sanctions for one year, the notice says. “These are the strongest sanctions we’ve ever imposed on China,” the Washington Times today quoted a State Department official as saying.
About Newswire | Contact National Journal | Re-Use Guidelines
HOME | CONTACT US | GET INVOLVED | SITE MAP |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Back to top