On January 31, Iran displayed its Qased 3 (“Messenger”) air-launched cruise missile at a military exhibition celebrating the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. While details of the missile’s capabilities have yet to be disclosed, Iranian news agencies have reported that the missile will be deployed on Iran’s aging F-4 jets, supplied by the United...
On January 30, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced that it concluded a $93 million USD deal with India for Barak 8 missile components and maintenance services. The Barak 8 is jointly produced by the two countries for naval air defense, and the Indian Navy last received shipments of the missile system in October 2018. Related...
On February 1, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the United States will suspend its obligations under the INF Treaty, effective February 2, and will leave the Treaty completely six months following if Russia does not return to “full and verifiable compliance” within that period. “Russia has jeopardized the United States’ security interests,...
On January 29, the U.S. State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Japan for two Aegis Weapon Systems (AWS) and related missile defense equipment, including two Multi-Mission Signal Processors (MMSP) and two Command and Control Processor (C2P) Refreshes. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the proposed sale and released a...
On January 28, the U.S. Navy confirmed the Block V designation for the next variant of the Tomahawk cruise missile. The mid-life recertification of the Block IV Tactical Tomahawk and its modernization program began at the start of FY 2019. IHS Jane’s reports that the goal of the Tomahawk’s modernization is to “replace and recertify...
On January 23, China Central Television (CCTV) released footage of the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF) launching two DF-26 IRBMs in a live-fire exercise. Chinese missile experts suggested the DF-26 can “adjust its position mid-flight to accurately attack a moving aircraft carrier,” possibly using ground and naval radar, as well as the missile’s own...
On January 23, German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier approved the export of four Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAMs), infrared seekers, and 85 dual-mode radar to Qatar in a letter to German lawmakers. The letter also indicated that the missiles will be exported to Qatar via Italy and the missiles’ seekers via the United States. Jointly developed...
On January 24, India conducted a test launch of the Barak-8 long-range surface-to-air missile (LR-SAM). The missile was fired from the Indian Navy destroyer INS Chennai (D65) off the Odisha Coast and hit an aerial target flying at a low altitude, according to the Indian Defense Ministry. The Defense Ministry also confirmed that the interceptor...
On January 24, Pakistan test launched its Hatf 9 “Nasr” SRBM in a training exercise to “enhance the operational efficiency of the Army Strategic Forces Command,” according to a Pakistani Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release. During the exercise, a salvo of four missiles was launched at ground targets. The Hatf 9 is reportedly...
On January 23, U.S. missile experts released satellite imagery that shows rocket engine production and a missile test facility at Saudi Arabia’s missile base at al-Watah, west of Riyadh. The analysis suggests that Saudi Arabia is now capable of indigenously developing ballistic missiles, and the new imagery shows a rocket engine test stand with a...
