Name: Unknown
Alternate name(s): Gawat Missile Test Center, Gawat Air Force Training Center, "Tenowhia Center" and the "Tauwlwa Center"
Location: 27° 02' 00" N, 014° 26' 00" E (approximate).
Subordinate to: Subordination is unclear, possibly the Libyan Military Procurement Authority, Military Industrial Organization, or the Air Force.
Primary function: Ballistic missile and long-range artillery rocket development and testing (possibly production also).
Description:
In March 1980 the West German company Orbital Transport-und Raketen Aktiengessellschaft (Orbital Transport and Rocket Corporation, or OTRAG) reached an agreement with Libya to allow the company to set up ballistic missile development operations in the isolated southern section of the country. In exchange OTRAG would provide Libya with the infrastructure and technology to develop and produce ballistic missile systems, and a missile system itself. This effort resulted in the creation of a missile development center 750 km south of Tripoli near the oasis town of Gawat (itself near the town of Sabhah).[41]
This facility has become the primary ballistic missile test facility in Libya (it has variously been identified as the Gawat Air Force Training Center, the "Tenowhia Center" or, the "Tauwlwa Center"). From here missiles are launched along a east-southeast bearing. From this facility flight distances of approximately 1,200-1,300 km can be accommodated within Libyan territory. A small number of flight tests are believed to have also occurred from TELs/MELs that were located in different parts of the country.
Name: Unknown
Alternate name(s): al-Rabta "Technology Center," al-Rabta I, or al-Rabitah
Location: al-Rabta (Ràbta or Rabta el-Garbia) 32° 09' 27" N, 012° 50' 32" E
Subordinate to: Subordination is unclear, possibly the Libyan Military Procurement Authority or Military Industrial Organization.
Primary function: Production of advanced weapons including chemical agents and ballistic missiles.
Description: In order to firmly establish an indigenous capability to develop and produce advanced weapons (including chemical agents and ballistic missiles) Libya, during the mid 1980s, initiated construction of several specialized weapons complexes. The first was located 60 km south of Tripoli near the town of al-Rabta and became known as the al-Rabta "Technology Center." Firms from West Germany, Italy, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Thailand, and other countries facilitated construction of the al-Rabta project. The second facility was located at Tarhuna (see separate entry).[42]
By 1989 the al-Rabta "Technology Center" was capable of manufacturing a wide variety of weapons including chemical agents, artillery shells, mines, ballistic missile components, and MELs. International concern and pressure concerning the production of chemical agents at the facility escalated dramatically during early 1990 and Libya believed that the U.S. and its allies were preparing to launch an attack on the installation. Then, in March 1990, U.S. intelligence sources announced that a massive fire had occurred at the complex. Initially it was believed that the fire had caused serious damaged and that it was unlikely that it be able produce chemical weapons or ballistic missiles for a year or longer. This development resulted in a rapid decline in U.S. and Western concern and political pressure. Subsequent analysis, however, revealed that the fire was a hoax and that much of the chemical agent production was subsequently transferred to the Tarhuna complex.[43]
During the 1990s part of the al-Rabta military industrial complex is reported to be dedicated to the production of sub-components, systems and supporting equipment for the various missile programs. Included within this was the assembly of DPRK provided Hwasong 6 missiles and possibly several TELs/MELs.[44]
Name: Unknown
Alternate name(s): Tarhuna "Technology Center" or al-Rabta II
Location: Tarhuna (Tarhønah) 32° 26' 00" N, 013° 38' 00" E
Subordinate to: Subordination is unclear, possibly the Libyan Military Procurement Authority or Military Industrial Organization.
Primary function: Production of advanced weapons including chemical agents and ballistic missiles.
Description: In order to firmly establish an indigenous capability to develop and produce advanced weapons (including chemical agents and ballistic missiles) Libya, during the mid 1980s, initiated construction of several specialized weapons complexes. The first was located 60 km south of Tripoli near the town of al-Rabta and became known as the al-Rabta "Technology Center" (see separate entry). The second facility was located at Tarhuna, 65 kilometers southeast of Tripoli. This facility was similar in composition to the al-Rabta "Technology Center" and has sometimes been identified as "al-Rabta II." As opposed to the original facility which was constructed above ground the Tarhuna complex consists of three linked tunnels which are each 150 meters long, 11 meters wide, and 6 meters high. It was constructed with extensive assistance from the PRC and like the al Rabta complex makes extensive use of Western and Japanese duel use technologies.[45] During early 1990 a significant part of the al-Rabta Technology Center's manufacturing capability was transferred to the Tarhuna complex.[46]
During the 1990s part of the Tarhuna military industrial complex is reported to be dedicated to the production of sub-components, systems and supporting equipment for the various missile programs. Included within this was the assembly of DPRK provided Hwasong 6 missiles and possibly several TELs/MELs.[47]
[41] "Scientist Linked To Supplying Missile Know-How to Libya," Focus, September 2, 1997, pp. 106-107; "OTRAG Ends Libyan Launch Work," Aviation Week & Space Technology, December 14, 1981; and "OTRAG Missile Firm to Hold Tests in Libyan Desert," DPA, September 19, 1980, as cited in FBIS.
[42] Rufford, Nick; Rayment, Tim; Leppard, David and Burrell, Ian. "Gadaffi Builds Huge Poison Gas Arsenal at Rabta Plant," Times of London, April 5, 1992; "Libya Weapons," Associated Press, June 18, 1990; Gertz, Bill. "2nd Chemical Arms Plant Spied in Libya," Washington Times, June 18, 1990, p. A1; Gertz, Bill. "Libya Producing Weapons at Full Capacity," Washington Times, Monday, May 21, 1990, Bill Gertz ," p. A3; Gertz, Bill. "Libyan Plant Fire Injured Hundreds, Poisoning Likely," Washington Times, Monday, March 19, 1990, p. A3; and Gillette, Robert. "3rd World Missiles Linked to German, Italian Firms," Los Angeles Times, February 8, 1989, p. 1.
[43] Author interview data; Weiner, Tim. "Huge Chemical Arms Plant Near Completion in Libya, U.S. Says," New York Times, February 25 1996, p. 8; Barth, Karl Guenther; Hauser, Uli; Lambrecht, Rudolf; and Mueller, Leo. "Code Name 'Refinery'," Stern, July 13, 1995, pp. 90-93, as cited in FBIS; "BND Reveals German Know-How for Middle East Arms," Der Spiegel, September 26, 1994, pp. 54-58, as cited in FBIS; and Roux, Guy. "Export Controls and the Libyan Arms Market," International Review, Autumn, 1994.
[44] Author interview data; "North Korea Continues to Develop Missiles;" "North Reportedly to Develop Missiles With Libya," Hanguk Ilbo, 17 February 1992, p. 1, as cited in FBIS; "DPRK Said Developing Improved Scud Missile;" Gertz, Bill, "Libya May Buy N. Korea Missiles," Washington Times, June 4, 1991, p. 4; and "Qadhafi Financing Syrian Purchase of Scud-C Missile," Defense & Foreign Affairs Weekly, January 28–February 3, 1991, p. 2.
[45] Rufford, Nick; Rayment, Tim; Leppard, David and Burrell, Ian. "Gadaffi Builds Huge Poison Gas Arsenal at Rabta Plant," Times of London, April 5, 1992; "Libya Weapons," Associated Press, June 18, 1990; Gertz, Bill. "2nd Chemical Arms Plant Spied in Libya," Washington Times, June 18, 1990, p. A1; Gertz, Bill. "Libya Producing Weapons at Full Capacity," Washington Times, Monday, May 21, 1990, Bill Gertz ," p. A3; Gertz, Bill. "Libyan Plant Fire Injured Hundreds, Poisoning Likely," Washington Times, Monday, March 19, 1990, p. A3; and Gillette, Robert. "3rd World Missiles Linked to German, Italian Firms," Los Angeles Times, February 8, 1989, p. 1.
[46] Author interview data; Weiner, Tim. "Huge Chemical Arms Plant Near Completion in Libya, U.S. Says," New York Times, February 25 1996, p. 8; Barth, Karl Guenther; Hauser, Uli; Lambrecht, Rudolf; and Mueller, Leo. "Code Name 'Refinery'," Stern, July 13, 1995, pp. 90-93, as cited in FBIS; "BND Reveals German Know-How for Middle East Arms," Der Spiegel, September 26, 1994, pp. 54-58, as cited in FBIS; and Roux, Guy. "Export Controls and the Libyan Arms Market," International Review, Autumn, 1994.
[47] Author interview data; "North Korea Continues to Develop Missiles;" "North Reportedly to Develop Missiles With Libya," Hanguk Ilbo, 17 February 1992, p. 1, as cited in FBIS; "DPRK Said Developing Improved Scud Missile;" Gertz, Bill, "Libya May Buy N. Korea Missiles," Washington Times, June 4, 1991, p. 4; and "Qadhafi Financing Syrian Purchase of Scud-C Missile," Defense & Foreign Affairs Weekly, January 28–February 3, 1991, p. 2.
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