Israeli missile defense system detects Syrian tests
TEL AVIV — Israeli officials said the Syrian military conducted tests of both
ballistic missiles and tactical rockets in the spring and summer of 2008.
They said the launches appeared to test Syria's command and control network
required to sustain a missile attack on Israel.
"It was the kind of test that Iran conducted earlier this year and meant
to show that Syria could fire missiles simultaneously from a range of
batteries in the southern and central parts of the country," an official
said.
The Syrian tests were detected by Israel's Arrow-2 missile defense
system. The Arrow's Green Pine early-warning radar was said to have a range
of more than 800 kilometers, which covers most of Syria.
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Officials said the Syrian tests included that of the Scud D ballistic
missile, with a range of 700 kilometers and which can contain a chemical
warhead. They said North Korea has helped Syria develop a two-stage Scud D
meant to frustrate Israel's missile defense system.
Syria was also said to have fired the Soviet-origin SS-21 rocket during
the exercise. The single-stage SS-21 has a range of more than 70 kilometers
and was said to be capable of striking Israeli strategic facilities.
Officials said Syria has about 1,000 short- and medium-range ballistic
missiles, including the Scud B and Scud C. They said Iran and North Korea
have been helping Syria integrate a range of missile and rocket batteries
into a nationwide network.
Israel responded to the Syrian missile launches with a missile defense
exercise in August. Officials acknowledged that neither Israel's Arrow-2 nor
the U.S.-origin Patriot systems could intercept most of Syria's missiles and
rockets.
Israel's Channel 2 television disclosed the Syrian missile and rocket
exercise on Aug. 18, the eve of a visit by President Bashar Assad to Russia.
Assad was expected to discuss with his Russian hosts the prospect of
purchasing the Iskander-E rocket, with a range of 280 kilometers.
