Abstract:
10 days ago [3 July] Syria tested a Scud-B ballistic missile. This missile normally has a conventional warhead, but this 300 km-range missile was equipped with a chemical warhead. Syria tested a Scud in September 2000 as well. These tests were detected by Israel's Green Pine radar, which is part of Israel's Arrow anti-missile system.

Seemingly the whole Middle East is engaging its missile programs, and according to other news sources and the London paper Al-Hayat, Israel too tested its Jericho-2 missile. Israeli officials, however, are not commenting on this.

In April 2000 Israel tested its missile, and the range was estimated between 1,300 and 1,500 kilometers.

Though Iran's Shihab-3 tests are reported as having failed, they are still likely to be operational with a range of 1,300 km with conventional or chemical warheads. Development of the Shehab-4 with a range of more than 2,000 km seems to be temporarily stopped. Iran's Fajr-5 missiles with a 75 km range and 200 kg payload are of great concern to Israel, as the Hizbollah in Lebanon has received them and is using them.

Iraq is looking to acquire missile engines from the Ukraine.

The US has put pressure on Egypt for buying missile parts from North Korea, with which it has military ties. It seems as though Egypt is aiming at developing its ballistic missile capabilities to include new missiles and to improve its existing missiles to have a higher range and better accuracy.