On June 25, a Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptor was successfully tested at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. In the test, the PAC-3 detected, tracked, and intercepted a tactical ballistic missile target. The PAC-3 MSE is an upgraded variant of the PAC-3 interceptor with an enhanced performance envelope and first...
On June 19, Lithuania’s armed forces confirmed delivery of a Norwegian Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) air defense system. Norway and Lithuania had finalized the sale of used NASAMS units in 2016. Co-developed by Norway and the United States, the NASAMS system employs AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles to intercept aerial targets at ranges up...
On June 18, Iran announced that its navy had successfully test fired a new cruise missile in a military exercise designated “Ramadan Martyrs.” The test missile was launched from the northern Indian Ocean and reportedly struck a target 280 km away. Related Links: Iran Tests New Naval Missiles in Indian Ocean Exercise, Tasnim News AgencyIran...
Between April 6-June 15, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) reported nine Houthi missile attacks on its territory and within Yemen. CSIS data now includes 163 publicly reported intercepts of missiles fired by Houthi militants. Below is a summary of the most recent missile and drone activity. June 15 KSA intercepts a bomb-laden UAV targeting...
On June 15, Japanese Minister of Defense Taro Kono announced that Japan would suspend plans to deploy the Aegis Ashore missile defense system due to “cost and schedule” concerns, triggering a government-wide review of Japan’s missile defense program. The plan, which would deploy Aegis Ashore systems in Yamaguchi and Akita prefectures, has faced multiple schedule...
On June 12, French submarine Le Téméraire (S617) test fired an M51 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from Audierne Bay on the country’s west coast. During the test, the missile reportedly traveled 6,000 km before landing in waters near the Dominican Republic. According to France’s Ministry of Defense, the unarmed flight successfully validated the missile’s performance...
The Missile War in Yemen is the first comprehensive review of missile and missile defense activity in the ongoing Yemen conflict.
On June 1, defense contractor BAE Systems announced its first successful flight test of a ground-launched variant of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) rocket. In launches at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, the company conducted “several successful shots” of the weapon from a ground-based launcher. APKWS is a laser guidance modification to the...
On June 2, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced it had test fired two LORA (Long-Range Artillery) missiles. The launches took place from a ship in the Mediterranean Sea, with the missiles successfully striking separate, floating targets located 90 and 400 km away. According to one IAI executive, the trial “tested the system’s maneuvering, strike and...
On May 28, the U.S. State Department approved a potential $800 million sale of Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptors to Kuwait. The deal comprises 84 PAC-3 MSE missiles and other related parts, training, and equipment. In addition to the sale of new interceptors, the State Department approved repairs and upgrades to...
