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Updated November 2004
Missile Chronology
2003-2004
This annotated chronology is based on the data sources that follow each entry. Public sources often provide conflicting information on classified military programs. In some cases we are unable to resolve these discrepancies, in others we have deliberately refrained from doing so to highlight the potential influence of false or misleading information as it appeared over time. In many cases, we are unable to independently verify claims. Hence in reviewing this chronology, readers should take into account the credibility of the sources employed here.
Inclusion in this chronology does not necessarily indicate that a particular development is of direct or indirect proliferation significance. Some entries provide international or domestic context for technological development and national policymaking. Moreover, some entries may refer to developments with positive consequences for nonproliferation.
4 April 2003
According to Kuwaiti news agency site KUNA, Kuwait is deploying Ammon — the advanced Egyptian anti-missile defence system.
— "Kuwait Deploys Egyptian Ammon Missile Defence Systems," Financial Times, 4 April 2003.
15 June 2003
John Bolton, U.S. Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security meets with President Mubarak and his top adviser to discuss monitoring the proliferation of WMD in the Middle East.
— "US Arms Control Chief in Egypt to Discuss How to Stop WMD in Mideast," Agence France Presse, 15 June 2003.
25 June 2003
Under the Foreign Military Sales Program, the Department of Defense has awarded a contract modification in the amount of $36,323,400 to McDonnell Douglas Corp. for procurement by the Egyptian government of 25 Harpoon missiles and related hardware. Work is expected to be completed in March 2004.
— "USA: McDonnell Douglas Awarded Contract to Procure Missiles," Financial Times, 25 June 2003.
28 August 2003
Lt. Gen. Sami Annan, chief of Egypt's air defense command, revealed in a "recent" news conference that an unidentified new, advanced SAM (surface-to-air missile) has been deployed. The missile is described as "light, mobile and rapidly deployable, ensuring instant detection and response to enemy air strikes."
— "Egypt Deploys New SAM System," United Press International, 28 August 2003.
6 February 2004
Middle East Newsline reports the award of a $54 million contract to Raytheon Systems by the U.S. Department of Defense, supplying 414 AIM-9M-2 missiles to Egypt and another 182 to Taiwan.
— "U.S. Sells Advanced Missiles to Egypt," United Press International, 6 February 2004.
31 March 2004
WorldTribune.com suggests that evidence uncovered by a British-U.S. team of nuclear inspectors in Libya confirms an exchange of nuclear and missile technology between Libya and Egypt in late 2003. U.S. officials opine that the alleged cooperation is unlikely to be raised during the April 12th meeting between Presidents Bush and Mubarak.
— "Report: Libya, Egypt Swapped Nukes," United Press International, 31 March 2004.
3 June 2004
Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen states that an investigation is underway with regard to "rockets, a radio-controlled missile and rocket launcher pads" discovered in containers on a ship transiting from Ukraine to Egypt. The ship was docked in Istanbul for refuelling; the cargo had been declared as spare parts.
— "Turkish Minister Says 'Sophisticated' Weapons Found Aboard Ship," Anatolia News Agency (Ankara), 3 June 2004.
5 June 2004
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has announced that Egypt confirmed ownership of the seized weapons found in ship containers bound for Egypt from the Ukraine. "We have started initiatives with the Egyptian and Ukrainian authorities," states Gul.
— "Gul: Egypt Says Rocket Shipment Belongs to It," Financial Times, 5 June 2004.
17 October 2004
Israel objects to American sales of advanced weapons to Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Yuval Steinitz, chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, warns that the U.S. sales could destabilize the region and insists on a "technological edge" with regard to electronics and missiles. Steinitz characterizes Egypt as a "hostile country."
Army Radio says that Israel is especially concerned about the sale of JDAMs (joint direct attack munitions), which Israel already has, to Egypt.
— Arieh O'Sullivan, "U.S. Arms Sales to Egypt, Saudis Threaten Israel - MK Steinitz," The Jerusalem Post, 17 October 2004.
This
material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin Center for
Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and
does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently
verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, agents. Copyright © 2008
by MIIS.
