 |
 |
 |
|
|
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (file)
|
|
|
|
|
|
| By Israel Insider staff August 23, 2007 |
|
| |
 Bookmark to del.icio.us |
| |
Iran now possesses a 2,000 pound smart bomb, the Iranian Ministry of Defense announced Wednesday, according to Ynet. Iran's newly developed bomb can be dropped from F-4 and F-5 jets.
The news comes amid reports of a series of weapons acquisitions and upgrades by Iran and its close ally Syria, both financiers of terrorist groups aimed at destroying Israel.
Iran has also refused to halt its uranium enrichment program despite United Nations sanctions and calls from the international community. The Islamic republic has more than 100 nuclear facilities well hidden in densely-populated regions to prevent and complicate attempts to destroy the country's nuclear progress.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Air Force is set to buy US-made Patriot PAC-3 missiles from Lockheed Martin, capable of intercepting aircraft and long-range ballistic missiles, including the type used by Syria. The system, however, will not be operational for several years while Israel upgrades its current PAC-2 missile launchers to accommodate the new missiles.
According to Ynet, Syria's recent procurement of advanced weaponry from Russia was a major factor in Israel's weapons upgrade. The United States recently agreed to increase Israel's military aid to $30 billion over ten years to ensure Israel's military edge over Gulf states that will also be receiving increased US military aid and upgraded weapons deals.
|
|
 
|
|
|
|
Click on the blue headline to read a Talkback comment and respond to it. Click on the  icon to send a private email to the talkback writer. The icon appears only if the writer has decided to be contacted. If no popup window appears, please make sure your popup blocker allows israelinsider.com.
|
|
| |
|
|
