ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR ISRAEL'S IRON DOME
Israel’s "Iron Dome" recently hit another target, this time in DC, when the missile defense system secured $70 million in additional funding from the U.S. Despite cuts to the Pentagon budget, bilateral cooperation with Israel on defense against ballistic missile threats remains robust. "Israel is in a tough neighborhood and we have for decades supported their independence and their security," according to Pentagon spokesman George Little. "We believe that an investment in Israeli security is important for Israel and important for the United States." And "Iron Dome" has emerged as an important area of joint focus; the short-range system has successfully intercepted some 80 percent of the hundreds of rockets launched against Israel from militants in the Gaza Strip since coming into service in March of last year. (Voice of America, May 17, 2012)
NATO READIES MISSILE SHIELD
In a development likely to roil already-troubled relations between Washington and Moscow, the first stage in the U.S.-supported NATO missile shield has now become “provisionally operational.” The recent progress comes just a month after Russia’s most senior general, Nikolai Makarov, threated a preemptive strike on NATO missile defense installations if the Atlantic Alliance refuses to make concessions or partner with Russia on the missile shield. At the Chicago NATO Summit, allies continued their attempt to cool tensions with Moscow in a declaration stating that “NATO missile defense is not directed against Russia and will not undermine Russia’s strategic deterrence capabilities." Russian officials, however, continue to express fears that future components of the NATO system will undermine their nuclear deterrent. (Christian Science Monitor, May 21, 2012)
PAKISTAN TAKES AIM WITH NEW CRUISE MISSILE
In yet another show of force in the long-running strategic rivalry between India and Pakistan, Islamabad has successfully tested a cruise missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads. The test of the Hatf VIII was the fourth launch since India's April 2012 test-firing of its Agni V long range missile. Pakistani officials have claim the missile is intended to “deter evolving threats” writ large, but defense experts believe the launch was carried out directly in response to India. (Defense News, May 31, 2012)
TAIWAN'S NEW MISSILES AIMED AT PRC
Taiwan’s “Hsiungfeng” (Brave Wind) is now reportedly deployed and fully operational. Defense sources have claimed that 100 or so of the indigenously-developed 300-mile-range cruise missiles are now in Taiwan's arsenal - marking the first time that Taiwan has targeted the PRC. “To some extent, the weaponry can serve as a deterrent,” one expert has noted. “In case of war in the Taiwan Strait, the missiles could be used to attack the airports and other military bases of the People’s Liberation Army.” Taiwan's new missiles, however, are far outnumbered by the 1,600 short- and medium-range missiles now estimated to be aimed at Taiwan from the Chinese Mainland. (Defense News, May 28, 2012)
TURKEY COURTS MISSILE DEFENSE SUITORS
Companies from the U.S., China, Russia, and various European nations are competing for the ability to build a new missile defense system for Turkey. Next month, Turkey is expected to announce an award of the $4 billion contract - or at least begin to whittle down the list of companies under consideration for the system, which has been delayed since 2009. Representatives from NATO countries, however, have cautioned that Russian and Chinese firms may not be able to provide missile defenses compatible with the emerging NATO shield and that, moreover, cooperation with Turkey might enable those countries to gain access to classified information. (Istanbul Hurriyet, June 9, 2012)
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