On December 4, South Korea began full-scale development of L-SAM, an indigenous surface-to-air missile. According to South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration, the project is valued at $813 million and is scheduled for completion by 2024. Studied since 2014, L-SAM would comprise the long-range arm of Seoul’s indigenous Korea Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) architecture,...
On December 4, India successfully conducted a night test of the Prithvi-II short-range ballistic missile. Launched from India’s Integrated Test Range (ITR) in the Bay of Bengal, the missile successfully met all test objectives in its routine trial. The Prithvi-II missile is a liquid-fueled ballistic missile with a range of 250 to 350 kilometers. Related...
Between October 16-December 2, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) reported 9 Houthi missile attacks. Below is a summary of these reported events. November 13 Houthi rebels fired two missiles targeting the Arab Coalition’s headquarters in Marib, killing at least five soldiers. The missiles were reportedly launched from Jabal Haylan, located approximately 70 km east...
On December 2, the U.S. Air Force definitized a contract to perform critical design review, test, and production readiness support for the Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW), a hypersonic boost-glide vehicle. According to the Department of Defense, the existing contract was modified up to $989 million and is expected to conclude by December 2022. The...
On November 28, North Korea test fired two KN-25 missiles, marking the fourth test of its “super-large multiple-rocket launcher” since August 2019. According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the missiles traveled up to 380 km and reached an altitude of 97 km before falling into the Sea of Japan. Analysts note the...
On November 30, India test fired an Agni-3 intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) from the Odisha Coast in the country’s eastern region. Reports indicate the launch was unsuccessful. This test marks India’s fourth Agni-3 test, and was the first conducted at night. The Agni-3 is a two-stage solid-fueled ballistic missile with a range of 3,500 km. ...
On November 30, Russian state media reported the country’s military test fired a Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missile from a MiG-31K earlier this month. The fighter aircraft took off from Olenegorsk air base and fired the Kinzhal against a ground target at the Pemboi training ground in Russia’s Komi Republic. The launch reportedly took place in mid-November....
From November 24-26, Russia’s Ministry of Defense displayed the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) to U.S. officials. According to a Russian Ministry of Defense statement, the visit was arranged “for the purpose of keeping the New START Treaty viable and effective;” the system is expected to go on combat alert in December 2019. The Avangard...
On November 22, Iran’s military completed an air and missile defense exercise in the country’s central region, designated “Guardians of Velayat Sky-98.” According to Iranian state media, the drills tested Iran’s Khordad 15, Talash, and Mersad air and missile defense systems. Further imagery suggests that the drills also included Iran’s Russian-made S-300 air defense system....
On November 22, U.S. officials stated that NATO warships successfully engaged live and simulated ballistic and cruise missile threats during Exercise Formidable Shield in May. During the exercise, ships shared targeting information through an alliance-wide datalink and shot down supersonic targets with Aster 15 and Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM). Speaking to the American Society...
