(Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies-Tel Aviv University)- Yiftah Shapir Iran's announcement on July 7 that it had conducted the final test of its Shehab-3 medium-range ballistic missile confirmed an earlier report in the Israeli media. The Shehab-3 is a single stage ballistic missile based on the technology of the Soviet-built R-17 (Scud-B) missile. Its estimated range is 1,300 km - just enough to reach targets in Israel - and it can carry a payload of approximately 700 kg. For the time being, the Shehab-3 is thought to carry only conventional warheads but it is probably intended to carry a nuclear warhead if Iran manages to produce one small enough. A chemical or biological warhead is also a possibility. The Shehab-3 is thought to be identical to the North Korean No-Dong or a further refinement of it. As early as 1994, it was assessed that North Korea had transferred prototypes of its No-Dong missile to Iran. In its present configuration, the Iranian system does not constitute a serious danger to Israel. Even if Iran can launch a small number of conventionally-armed missiles, the damage would be comparable to that inflicted by the Iraqi missiles fired on Israel in 1991.
2003-07-11 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive