Pakistan officials claim its scientists and weapons experts are studying unexploded U.S. Tomahawk missiles used in the attack on terrorist camps in Afghanistan, the Washington Post reports. Pakistan sources expressed optimism that unlocking the Tomahawk's technological secrets - such as guidance systems, on-board computers and propulsion systems - would advance their missile program. However, U.S. experts fear that while Pakistan has limited engineering capabilities, that they would share the technology with their close ally, China.

Currently, Gen. Jehangir Karamat, head of Pakistan's Joint Chiefs of Staff, is on an official visit to China, where he has been briefed on scientists' initial findings on the Tomahawks. U.S. experts say that China has the expertise to study and eventually copy the missile's guidance system and incorporate the missile's advanced satellite global positioning system [GPS]. The Chinese could also gain useful knowledge from the missile's airframe material, electronics, warhead and turbo-fan engine. It would also allow the Chinese to incorporate the missile's radar image into the air defense systems it sells to nations such as Iran, North Korea, Libya and Pakistan.

"The air defense implications for the Chinese are something we seriously have to be concerned about," says K. Scott McMahon, a national security expert with Pacific-Sierra Research Corporation. "It would enable the Chinese to enhance their air defense system against what is arguably the most serious missile threat out there."

Chinese officials denounced U.S. plans to sell anti-aircraft missiles and anti-submarine torpedoes to Taiwan, Reuters reports. "We demand the U.S. government strictly abide by the August 17 [1982] Sino-US communiqué and stop any moves that violate China's sovereignty and sabotage China's peaceful reunification," said a Foreign Ministry spokesman. The U.S. Defense Department announced a new $350 million weapons sale to Taiwan includes 61 Stinger anti-aircraft missile launchers, 131 MK-46 [helicopter- fired] anti-submarine torpedoes and 58 Harpoon anti-ship missiles [fired by F-16 jet fighters]. According to the South China Morning Post, Taiwan officials defended the weapons purchase, citing Beijing's repeated threats to attack Taiwan and the unprecedented ongoing military buildup of China's air, sea and missile forces.

During a 4-day visit to China, Israel's Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai said he hopes Beijing's military modernization drive will result in huge arms contracts for Israel, the Associated Press reports. Accompanied by 45 of Israel's top arms manufacturers, Mordechai will hold talks with Chinese generals in charge of procurement. Mordechai is also scheduled to meet with Chinese Defense Minister Chi Haotian and leader Ziang Zemin.

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All Rights Reserved.

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