The Israel Project

Timeline of Recent Missile Developments

Aug. 25, 2010: Iran announced that it successfully test-fired an upgraded version of a short-range surface-to-surface missile. The new version of the missile increases the weapon's range from earlier generations, Iran's Defense Minister Gen. Ahmad Vahidi said. Earlier versions of the Fateh-110, which Iran has had for several years, could strike targets up to 120 miles (193 kilometers) away. [2]
 
Aug. 22, 2010: Iran unveiled a bomber drone that the Islamic Republic nicknamed [3] "the ambassador of death." The presentation of the drone came a day after Iranian and Russian technicians began loading fuel into Iran's first nuclear power station. Iranian state television said the drone had a range of 620 miles (1,000 km) and a speed of 560 mph (900 km per hour) and could be armed with four cruise missiles or a payload of either two 250-lb. (113-kg) bombs or a 500-lb. bomb.

April 19, 2010: a declassified Defense Department report on Iran's military stated that Iranmay be able to build a missile capable of striking the United States by 2015. [4]

Aug. 4, 2010: Iran claimed to have acquired four S-300 surface-to-air missiles despite Russian refusal to deliver such weaponry to the Islamic Republic. The claim was dismissed as a bluff by Western intelligence officials.
April 19, 2010: a declassified Defense Department report on Iran's military stated that Iran may be able to build a missile capable of striking the United States by 2015. [5]
 
Feb. 4, 2010: Iran announced it had launched a rocket capable of carrying a satellite. The Kavoshgar-3 rocket, propelled by liquid fuel, was a testing device for space systems that typically rise about 63 miles (100 km) above the earth’s surface before returning by parachute. The long-range ballistic technology that had been used to put satellites into orbit can also be used to launch warheads. [6]

Dec. 16, 2009: Iranannounced that it had test-fired an improved version of its most advanced missile, one capable of reaching Israel and parts of Europe. Iranian television gave a brief report of a successful test of the two-stage, solid-fuel missile, the Sejil-2. Though the range of this rocket is comparable to the liquid-fueled Shahab III, which Iran first obtained from North Korea, a solid-fuel rocket is easier to use on short notice, easier to hide from attack, and more accurate, experts said. [7]

Sept. 28, 2009: Iran announced that its Revolutionary Guards had test-fired missiles with sufficient range to strike Israel, parts of Europe and U.S. bases in the Persian Gulf. The reported tests of the medium-range, liquid-fueled Shahab-3 and the solid-fueled Sejil-2 missiles as well as short-ranged missiles earlier in the week came just days after President Obama and the leaders of France and Britain used the disclosure of a previously secret nuclear processing plant under construction in Iran to threaten Tehran with a stronger response to its efforts to enrich uranium. [8]

On May 20, 2009, Iran test-fired the solid-fuel Sejil-2 missile with a range of more than 1,200 miles (2,000 km), capable of striking Israel and parts of Europe. According to Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammed Najjar, the Sejil-2 differs from the earlier version of the Sejil in that it “is equipped with a new navigation system as well as precise and sophisticated sensors.” The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed that the test-launch was successful. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the missile “landed exactly on target.”

The advantage of a solid-fuel missile is that it is easily stored and hidden, moved, reassembled, and fired on short notice, making it more difficult to target. [9]

On Feb. 3 2009, Iran launched a domestically made satellite into orbit for the first time. Iran said the launch of the Omid (Hope) research and telecom satellite was a major step in its space technology timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution. The long-range ballistic technology used to put satellites into orbit, can launch warheads. [10]

On July 9, 2008, as part of a series of war games code-named “The Great Prophet,” Iran successfully launched the Shahab-3 missile that travels up to 930 miles (1,500 km). [11] The newer Shahab-3ER, with a 2,000-km range, puts Turkey into Iran’s missile range. [12] Iran could also strike numerous European countries with its long-range ballistic BM25 land-mobile missiles; one model has a range of 1,550 miles (2,500 km) and the other can reach as far as 2,175 miles (3,500 km). [13] Cities in range include Kiev, Athens, and Budapest.

In addition, Iran is also developing its own satellite-launching capability, which could allow for the conversion of a satellite launcher into an intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of almost 2,500 miles (4,000 km). [14] Rome, Vienna, Berlin and Warsaw will all be in range following this development.

Iran’s increasing military prowess indicates Tehran’s growing ambitions in the international arena and its desire to exert even greater influence in Middle East affairs. In conjunction with Iran’s continued support of terror through non-state organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah, Iran is now in a position to spread its weapons technology to many other groups and regimes. Of particular concern is Tehran’s ongoing uranium enrichment program, which has the potential of sparking a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.

At a military parade in Tehran, banners adorning six Shahab-3 missiles proudly displayed Iran’s hatred toward Israel and the United States, reading, “Israel must be wiped off the map” and “We will crush America under our feet.” [15]