On February 9, Iran unsuccessfully launched a Simorgh rocket carrying a “Zafar 1” communications satellite. According to Iranian Defense Ministry spokesman Ahmad Hosseini, “Stage-1 and stage-2 motors of the carrier functioned properly and the satellite was successfully detached from its carrier, but at the end of its path it did not reach the required speed...
On February 7, Indian officials confirmed the ongoing development of the Pranash, a tactical ballistic missile with a 200 km range. The Pranash missile is reportedly an upgraded derivative of the solid-fueled Prahaar missile, which possesses a maximum range of 150 km. The officials also highlighted the missile’s export potential, noting the Pranash would “be...
On February 3, a Greek government official announced that Athens planned to deploy Patriot missiles to Saudi Arabia. The plan, which involved the United States, United Kingdom, and France, was reportedly in the works since October 2019. The Patriot missiles will be deployed to protect Saudi oil facilities. “The deployment contributes to energy security, promotes...
On February 6, India’s Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) announced the completion of the Nirbhay cruise missile development project and revealed several cruise and antiship missiles under development. The first, dubbed the Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM) will reportedly possess a range of 1,000 km; developmental flights are expected to begin in...
On January 28, the U.S. Navy issued a solicitation to integrate the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) on its P-8A maritime patrol aircraft. In a February 2 addition, the Navy states that the contract could also include integration efforts for several Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM), Mk62/63/65 mines, Small Diameter Bombs (SDB-II), Miniature Air Launched...
On February 5, the U.S. Air Force test launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from Vandenberg Air Force Base in southern California. Designated FTU-2, the flight test validated a new explosive fuze for the Minuteman’s W87 nuclear warhead. FTU-2 is the second of four planned tests of the fuze, with the last...
On February 4, the U.S. Department of Defense said it had deployed the W76-2 low-yield nuclear warhead on a Trident submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). The statement confirms an earlier report that the USS Tennessee (SSBN-734) had deployed with the warhead in late 2019. According to the Pentagon, the W76-2 “strengthens deterrence and provides the United...
On February 4, Russia’s Central Military District reported the successful conclusion of air defense exercises in the Urals, Siberia, and Volga region. In the drills, S-300 and S-400 systems repelled notional aerial targets represented by MiG-31 fighters and Army Mi-8 helicopters. The S-300 and S-400 are a family of Russian air defense systems which entered...
Iran’s ballistic missile attacks on January 8, 2020 against U.S. troops in Iraq was an unprecedented moment in U.S.-Iranian relations. Derived from government statements, media reports, and first-hand accounts, this video depicts how the attack unfolded.
Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexei Krivoruchko has said Moscow will deploy its first serially-produced RS-28 Sarmat ICBMs in 2021. After conducting silo ejection tests in 2017 and 2018, Russia plans to flight test the Sarmat at least five times through 2020. Designed to replace the aging SS-18 “Satan,” the Sarmat missile possesses a range of...
