[Institute for National Security Studies-Tel Aviv University] Uzi Rubin - Iran's missile and space programs are progressing with singular urgency. No other country in the world comes close to Iran in the number and variety of ballistic missiles in development or already deployed. Iran seems poised to add a cruise missile component to its strategic forces, and its development of a space launch vehicle may well be a harbinger of an ICBM. The range of Iran's missiles is likely to dominate the entire European continent by the end of the decade. Heralding the missile program with a great deal of transparency, Iran has exploited it as a psychological tool, adding it to its force of "deterrence enhancers." There is some doubt as to the quality and precision of the more advanced missiles, with Iran's claims likely exceeding the missiles' actual capabilities. The writer served as head of Israel's Missile Defense Organization between 1991 and 1999, and oversaw the development of Israel's Arrow anti-missile defense system.
2006-11-30 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive