According to a U.S. defense official, the Sea-Based X-Band Radar (SBX) system has left its port in Hawaii to monitor a potential North Korean ICBM test. The SBX can provide high-resolution radar imagery of the North Korean test, potentially providing a better understanding of the missile’s profile and capabilities. The SBX could also help U.S. Ground-based Interceptors...
The Department of Defense cleared the Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) interceptor for international sale on January 10, 2017. The SM-6 is currently used by the U.S. Navy and has anti-ship, air defense, and terminal ballistic missile defense capabilities. The SM-6 is compatible with Aegis hardware and software, leveraging Aegis’ Baseline 9 system, which allows Aegis-equipped ships to perform both...
On Monday, January 9, 2017, Pakistan reportedly conducted its first test of its submarine-launched Babur-3 cruise missile from an undisclosed location in the Indian Ocean. The Babur-3 has a range of 450 km and, according to the Pakistani military, is “capable of delivering various types of payloads and will provide Pakistan with a Credible Second...
North Korea, in a series of escalating declarations, claimed on Sunday that it has the ability to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile “at any time” and from any location. U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter responded by stating that North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities are a “serious threat” and that the U.S. is prepared...
Reports from January 6, 2017 indicate that the Israeli satellite EROS B recently captured photos of at least two Russian-made road-mobile SS-26 “Iskander” missile launchers located at the Syrian army’s airbase in Latakia. Although stationed at a Syrian military base, it is believed that the launchers are manned and operated by Russian forces, which are...
On January 2, 2017, India conducted the sixth test-launch of its Agni-4 nuclear-capable ballistic missile from Wheeler Island. India’s Defense Research and Development Organization claimed the test was a success, and described the Agni-4 as a “sophisticated surface-to-surface missile equipped with modern and compact avionics to provide high level of reliability.” The Agni-4 is a two-stage solid...
On December 26, 2016, India conducted the fourth test of its indigenously developed Agni-5 nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile from Wheeler Island off the Odisha coast. Agni-5 reportedly has the potential to carry either a 1,500 kg high explosive warhead or a 1-ton nuclear warhead. With a range of 5,000- 8,000 km, Agni-5 is the longest ranged missiles...
India’s Nirbhay nuclear-capable subsonic cruise missile failed its fourth test-launch on December 21, 2016. The missile, intended to have a range of 1,000 km, deviated from its path shortly after its launch from the Integrated Test Range at Balasore in Odisha. Sources at the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) claim that the issue was...
On December 17, Azerbaijan’s Defense Industry Minister Yaver Jamalov confirmed that his country will purchase the Iron Dome defense system as part of a $4.8 billion deal with Israel. Azerbaijan will be one of the first countries to acquire the system, which is designed to intercept short-range rockets and artillery. It is unknown how many...
The final French Triomphant-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, Le Téméraire, has been docked at the Brest naval base to begin modifications that would allow the submarine to launch M51 nuclear ballistic missiles. The M51s will replace the obsolete and soon-to-be out of service M45 missiles that previously armed the SSBNs in the French fleet. DCNS...
