Saudis parade N-missiles in defiance of US-Iran accord

[amoy]

Saudis parade nuclear missiles for the first time in defiance of US-Iranian nuclear accord
DEBKAfile Special Report April 29, 2014, 10:49 PM (IDT) Tags: Saudi nuclear, Iran nuclear, Middle East war, US-Iran, negotiations,

DF-3 nuclear missiles at Saudi military parade

Saudi Arabia became the first Middle East nation to publicly exhibit its nuclear-capable missiles. The long-range, liquid propellant DF-3 ballistic missile (NATO designated CSS-2), purchased from China 27 years ago, was displayed for the first time at a Saudi military parade Tuesday, April 29, in the eastern military town of Hafar Al-Batin, at the junction of the Saudi-Kuwaiti-Iraqi borders.

The DF-3 has a range of 2,650 km and carries a payload of 2,150 kg. It is equipped with a single nuclear warhead with a 1-3 MT yield.

Watched by a wide array of Saudi defense and military dignitaries, headed by Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister Salman bin Abdulaziz, the parade marked the end of the large-scale "Abdullah's Sword" military war game.

Conspicuous on the saluting stand was the Pakistani Chief of Staff Gen. Raheel Sharif alongside eminent visitors, including King Hamad of Bahrain and Sheikh Muhammad bin Zayed, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi.

DEBKAfile's military and intelligence sources report the event was deliberately loaded with highly-significant messages, the foremost of which was that the Middle East is in the throes of a nuclear arms race in the wake of the Iranian program.

1. The oil kingdom was saying loud and clear that it has obtained nuclear missiles and is ready to use them in the event of an armed conflict with Iran.

2. The message for Washington was that Riyadh adheres to its adamant objections to the comprehensive accord for resolving the Iranian nuclear question which is racing toward its finale with the six world powers led by the US. The Saudis share Israel's conviction that this pact - far from dismantling Iran's nuclear capacity - will seal the Islamic Republic's elevation to the status of pre-nuclear power. The result will be a Middle East war in which the Saudis will take part.

3. The participation of the nuclear DF-3 missiles in the "Abdullah's Sword" exercise signified Riyadh's estimate that the coming conflict will see the use of nuclear weapons.

4. By showing off their ageing Chinese missiles, the Saudis intimated that they had acquired the more advanced generation of this weapon, which they are keeping under wraps. DEBKAfile's intelligence sources report that in recent visits to Beijing, high-ranking Saudi officials negotiated the purchase of Dong-Feng 21 (DF-21), whose range is shorter, 1,700 km, but more precise and effective in view of its terminal radar guidance system. The West has no information about when the new Chinese missiles were delivered to Saudi Arabia.

5. The presence of the top Pakistani soldier at the parade of military and nuclear hardware was meant as corroboration of Islamabad's active role as the source of the Saudi nuclear arsenal.

6. The Saudis no longer rely on the American nuclear umbrella. They are developing their own nuclear strike force with the help of China and Pakistan.

 

[Jagdish58]

Re: Saudis parade nuclear missiles for the first time in defiance of U

Is the Purchase of DF-3 not the violation of MTCR?? if USA can block Cryoeneginic engine export from Russia to India why was this allowed??

 

[ladder]

Re: Saudis parade nuclear missiles for the first time in defiance of U

Is the Purchase of DF-3 not the violation of MTCR?? if USA can block Cryoeneginic engine export from Russia to India why was this allowed??

Transferred before MCTR was formalized and definitely before China declared to follow guidelines of MTCR. Also, the MTCR is voluntary and places no penalty on violation.


==================================

The main weapon of the RSSMF is the Chinese DF-3 (CSS-2) Dongfeng missile sold to Saudi Arabia by China. A conventional high-explosive warhead (2150 kg) variant of the DongFeng 3A Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile with range up to 2800 km was developed for an export order to Saudi Arabia in 1987.[3] About 30~120 missiles and 9~12 launchers were reportedly delivered in 1988, though no known test launch has ever been made in the country. Some sources suggest that the RSSMF has considered purchasing the advanced DF-21 ballistic missile from China in the future.[4]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Saudi_Strategic_Missile_Force

================================

The Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) was established in April 1987 by Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Great Britain, and the United States. The MTCR was created in order to curb the spread of unmanned delivery systems for nuclear weapons, specifically delivery systems that could carry a minimum payload of 500 kg a minimum of 300 km.

The People's Republic of China is not a member of the MTCR but has agreed to abide by the original 1987 Guidelines and Annex, but not the subsequent revisions. China first verbally pledged that it would adhere to the MTCR in November 1991, and included these assurances in a letter from its Foreign Minister in February 1992. China reiterated its pledge in the October 1994 US-China joint statement. In their October 1997 joint statement, the United States and China stated that they agree "to build on the 1994 Joint Statement on Missile Nonproliferation."[3] In 2004 China applied to join the MTCR, but members did not offer China membership because of concerns about China's export control standards.[4][5]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missile_Technology_Control_Regime

 

[Compersion]

Re: Saudis parade nuclear missiles for the first time in defiance of U

This was during the period when Iraq was shooting missiles into Israel and must have threatened the KSA since they were having Americans on their soil. The Saudis wanted to send a message to the Iraq not to get carried away and must have approached the Americans for weapons. Since the Americans would not provide such maal to KSA the PRC government was approached. The Americans must have said why the need - and like the Israels they ought to trust the firepower of the NATO. Therefore the reasoning must have been done with American consent.

It appears to be 20 year old show pieces of the Iraq war and how KSA was victorious. And also it must be a reminder to Iran on what the dynamics at play were at that time (good ol times). Unless the Pakis and PRC are now involved in making them useful - from my impression they are over 20 years old and untested and unused missiles being shown off by KSA. The Saudis are also capable of buying new maal why dont they buy new missiles. Its is like they are displaying a Mig-21 when they can display a Euro Fighter with the money they have.

This is where the MTCR post Iraq comes into play.

The only quote that i find fascinating is:

The DF-3 has a range of 2,650 km and carries a payload of 2,150 kg. It is equipped with a single nuclear warhead with a 1-3 MT yield.

Is Saudi Arabia declaring it has (Paki) Nukes.

The above is also a good critique of PRC foreign policy that allowed it to make good inroads into the Sunni board-rooms. Its been heard that the Americans dont speak Arabic when they talk to people in Middle-east but the people from PRC do. One can say the Americans don't need to learn the local lingu to get their way.

With respect to India as usual we sat on the sides and are also now sitting on the sides. It would be good and we need to test the 10,000 + km ICBM. Our default position after such a test would mean we are not ever on the sideline.

 

[Illusive]

Re: Saudis parade nuclear missiles for the first time in defiance of U

Are Chinese that crazy that they are handing over DF-21 to Saudis.

 

[Yusuf]

Re: Saudis parade nuclear missiles for the first time in defiance of U

The Saudis have only showed the DF3s. They got DF-21s in 2007. That they finances the Sunni Bomb is well known. That Pak has/will supply nukes to KSA is also known/expected.

@ poster above,in 1987 Iran was still at war with Iraq.Iraq lobbed missiles at Israel in 1991. In 87, Saudis didn't need a nuclear capable missile. In 2007, US didn't have good relations with Iran as the Saudis site as the reason to explore "other" options.

Saudis always wanted nuke capability to back up its ideological push around the world.In Pak it has a safe custodian of nukes which it can get any time. That the missiles were paraded in front of Gen Raheel is another "message"

 

[pankaj nema]

Re: Saudis parade nuclear missiles for the first time in defiance of U

It is an old news

They are just bringing out the missiles which they have possessed since 1987

what really matters is how and when they get the Paki warheads

 

[BangersAndMash]

Re: Saudis parade nuclear missiles for the first time in defiance of U

It is an old news

They are just bringing out the missiles which they have possessed since 1987

what really matters is how and when they get the ChiPakinese warheads

1234567890

 

[amoy]

Re: Saudis parade nuclear missiles for the first time in defiance of U

it's reported the whole foreign reserve of China was totalled at US$ 2.072 bil only in 1986 while the DF-3 deal with Saudi was at $3.5 bil. it must hv been quite a revenue boost at that time.

keeping both Sunni and Shia powers capable of mutual destruction is a good way to maintain balance and peace in the Gulf.

Sent from my 5910 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Haman10]

Re: Saudis parade nuclear missiles for the first time in defiance of U

lol , no worries mates !!! that news is old and saudia doesnt get any upper hand because of it :

1- a missile that old and big is a piece of cake for any defence system to take out , its 40 years old for lords sake

2- the missiles were given to saudia with conventional warheads :

"The DF-3A is a Chinese liquid-fueled, single-stage, medium-range nuclear ballistic missile that entered service in 1971. DF-3A is the oldest missile in China's inventory and is nearing retirement after four decades of service.[3]

In 1987 China sold several dozen (reportedly between 36 and 60) outmoded DF-3 missiles to Saudi Arabia, with conventional warheads.[4][5]"

DF-3A - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

so no worries

 

[Illusive]

Re: Saudis parade nuclear missiles for the first time in defiance of U

lol , no worries mates !!! that news is old and saudia doesnt get any upper hand because of it :

1- a missile that old and big is a piece of cake for any defence system to take out , its 40 years old for lords sake

2- the missiles were given to saudia with conventional warheads :

"The DF-3A is a Chinese liquid-fueled, single-stage, medium-range nuclear ballistic missile that entered service in 1971. DF-3A is the oldest missile in China's inventory and is nearing retirement after four decades of service.[3]

In 1987 China sold several dozen (reportedly between 36 and 60) outmoded DF-3 missiles to Saudi Arabia, with conventional warheads.[4][5]"

DF-3A - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

so no worries

Its not about DF3a mate, its about the more sophisticated DF-21 which is more worrying,
@amoy well you justified China selling DF3 for precious foreign reserve, what would be the case this time for selling DF21, you guys think saudi's will help keep East Turkmenistan clean or turning a blind eye to what CCP do to the muslims there, well you guys are only giving them more teeth.

 

[amoy]

Saudi Arabia joins the killer drone arms race | The Verge

Last week, Saudi Arabia bought its first drone fleet, according to a dispatch from Tactical Reports. Saudi Crown Prince Salman met with Chinese General Wang Guanzhong to sign a contract for a shipment of Chinese Wing Loong drones, also known as Pterodactyls. The drones that make up the shipment are designed to mimic America's Predator drone, with surveillance capabilities and enough lift to carry two matched air-to-ground missiles.

DRONES ARE AVAILABLE TO WHOEVER CAN PAY FOR THEM

If the report is true, it means Saudi Arabia may have joined an exclusive club, one of the few nations with armed, unmanned aircraft. It's a group that, to date, includes just the US, Britain, Israel, China, and (depending who you ask) Iran — but beyond those countries, the capability is increasingly available to whoever can pay for it. At the Singapore Air Show earlier this year, both Israel and China were showing off their wares to would-be clients, including the Pterodactyl drone named in the report, and you could find similar displays at dozens of other air shows. With American counterterrorism efforts providing an ongoing test of how valuable the machines can be, there are lots of countries willing to buy.

 

[jmj_overlord]

hmm increased defence ties between saudis and chinese.......wonder how US would view this.....

 

[SPIEZ]

Chinese have finally hit jackpot.

 

[amoy]

Re: Saudis parade nuclear missiles for the first time in defiance of U

Now it's "officially" confirmed Saudi Arabia has Acquired the DF-21 Missiles

Retired Saudi General Dr.Anwar Eshqi and advisor to the joint military council gives a statement to the media when asked about new acquisitions by the RSBMF and says "Saudi military did indeed receive the DF-21 missile from China and all integration of the missiles including a full maintenance and upgrade facility are complete"

صحيفة عكاظ | شؤون الوطن | «رياح الشرق» تعزز ترسانة الردع و «الدبابة الطائرة» هجومية مدمرة

For the sake of new equilibrium :thumb:

 

[ladder]

Re: Saudis parade nuclear missiles for the first time in defiance of U

Now it's "officially" confirmed Saudi Arabia has Acquired the DF-21 Missiles


صحيفة عكاظ | شؤون الوطن | «رياح الشرق» تعزز ترسانة الردع و «الدبابة الطائرة» هجومية مدمرة

For the sake of new equilibrium :thumb:

Or string up the old equilibrium for a new equilibrium point?

 

[amoy]

Re: Saudis parade nuclear missiles for the first time in defiance of U

Or string up the old equilibrium for a new equilibrium point?

Either way - to make do with status quo that's not quite in your favour, or to catalyse changes to your advantage.

Sent from my 5910 using Tapatalk 2

 

[rock127]

What would Iran do now? These Wahabi missiles are for Iran.

 

[Illusive]

Its just ballistic missiles without the nuclear warheads, question is have the chinese given them nuclear warheads?

 

[Illusive]

Re: Saudis parade nuclear missiles for the first time in defiance of U

Now it's "officially" confirmed Saudi Arabia has Acquired the DF-21 Missiles


صحيفة عكاظ | شؤون الوطن | «رياح الشرق» تعزز ترسانة الردع و «الدبابة الطائرة» هجومية مدمرة

For the sake of new equilibrium :thumb:

For the sake of equilibrium Viet, Aus and Japan should also be given nuclear capable ballistic missiles, shouldn't they?