Syria is developing a warhead that could deliver VX gas on a Scud-class missile.

U.S. defense sources said Syria is advancing in the research and development of a VX warhead on the Scud C missile. The sources said the project could be concluded over the next year.

"There are many ways to interpret how far advanced the Syrian VX program is," a defense source said. "What is clear is that this is a priority for Damascus and a breakthrough is expected shortly."

VX is a nerve gas that has long been produced by Syria. Damascus is already believed to have produced a Scud warhead that can deliver Sarin gas. The VX warhead has been tested on a Scud B missile, the sources said.

The first test was detected as early as 1998. The test was to ensure that VX gas would disperse upon impact of the missile.

The latest Syrian efforts, the source said, is on the longer-range Scud C program. The Scud B has a range of about 300 kilometers. The Scud C has a range of 500 kilometers.

North Korea is said to have supplied Syria with both technology and equipment for the VX program. But the sources said Syria is believed to have shut out all foreigners from its Scud VX weaponization project.

Syria is also developing a chemical warhead for the Scud D program. That missile is said to have a range of up to 700 kilometers. In September 2000, Syria flight-tested the Scud D, which is said to have achieved a range of 600 kilometers.

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