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Many countries view
ballistic and cruise missile systems as cost-effective weapons and
symbols of national power.
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Many ballistic and cruise
missiles are armed with weapons of mass destruction.
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In 1999, both India
and Pakistan flight-tested new ballistic missile systems. Both countries
have longer range ballistic missiles in development, and all of
these missiles are capable of being armed with weapons of mass destruction.
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North Korea is continuing
to develop the Taepo Dong 2 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)
which could reach at least Alaska and Hawaii.
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With continued foreign
assistance, Iran could have an ICBM capable of reaching the United
States before 2015. Iraq probably will aggressively pursue long-range
ballistic missile development if UN sanctions are lifted.
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Russia still has several
thousand nuclear warheads deployed on ballistic missiles capable
of reaching the United States. Development of new ICBM and SLBM
systems is proceeding.
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China flight-tested
the new DF-31 road-mobile ICBM for the first time in 1999. A longer
range ICBM and a new submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM)
are in development.
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Land-attack cruise missiles
are highly effective weapon systems that can present a major threat
to military operations.
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At least nine foreign
countries will be involved in land-attack cruise missile production
during the next decade, and many missiles will be available for
export.
