On November 20, India test fired two Prithvi-II short-range ballistic missiles from its Integrated Test Range in the country’s eastern region. According to government sources, the nighttime test “met all parameters,” matching the performance of the Prithvi-II’s previous nighttime test in June 2019. The 350 km-range, liquid-fueled Prithvi-II first entered service in 2003. The test...
On November 17, the head of Russian defense firm Rostec confirmed that India had completed an $800 million advance payment for the S-400 air and missile defense system, with deliveries expected for completion in 2025. India and Russia had signed a $5.5 billion deal for five S-400 batteries in October 2018. In total, the deal...
On November 19, the Israeli Defense Forces stated its Iron Dome missile defense system had intercepted four rockets fired over the Golan Heights. Speaking later to media, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz blamed Iranian-backed militias in Syria for the attack. Syrian sources later reported that Israel launched five missiles at targets in Damascus, causing explosions...
On November 16, India tested an Agni-2 medium-range ballistic missile from the Odisha Coast in the country’s eastern region. According to government sources, the test was successful and marked the first night launch of the Agni-2 system. The Agni-2 is a two-stage solid-fueled ballistic missile with a range of over 2000 km. Related Links: First...
On November 18, Pakistan announced a successful test launch of the Shaheen-1 short-range ballistic missile. According to Pakistan’s defense ministry, the test “was aimed at testing operational readiness” of the country’s strategic forces. The Shaheen-1 entered Pakistani service in 2003 and is capable of delivering nuclear and conventional payloads to a 650 km range. Related...
On November 7, the U.S. Army successfully test fired two Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Cost Reduction Initiative (CRI) interceptors at White Sands Missile Range, intercepting two tactical ballistic missile targets. The tests, conducted in support of the Army’s Field Surveillance Program (FSP), were the twelfth and thirteenth successful flights of their type. The PAC-3 CRI,...
In a November 1 announcement, the U.S. Department of Defense authorized the production of additional Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA missiles for sale to Japan. Under the estimated $267 million contract modification, the United States would produce 20 SM-3 Block IIAs for domestic service and 4 for Japan. Production is expected to conclude in December...
On November 1, Ukraine test fired two S-125 Pechora surface-to-air missiles against a naval target in the Black Sea. In a press release, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense said the tests were successful, with both projectiles striking and sinking the 2,960-ton barge. The S-125 Pechora is a short- to medium-range surface-to-air missile which first entered...
On November 3, Turkey test fired the Atmaca, an indigenously developed antiship missile introduced in 2019. According to reports, authorities fired the missile from the TCG Kınalıada (F-514), an Ada-class corvette of the Turkish Navy. Intended to replace the U.S.-built Harpoon, the Atmaca is a subsonic missile with a 250 kg payload and a 220...
On October 29, the Missile Defense Agency announced that it had awarded four $20 million contracts to develop space-based sensors for tracking hypersonic and ballistic missiles. Conducted under the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) program, the contract calls for the companies to design a prototype sensor by October 31, 2020. Analysts view space-based...
