Iran Nuclear Watch: Israel Seeks Cruise Missiles

A Tomahawk cruise missile as used by the United States is seen in an undated photo. Israel has speeded up efforts to develop long-range cruise missiles of a type that could be used should the Jewish state try to strike at Iran’s nuclear facilities, security sources said on Tuesday.

Reuters: Eyeing Iran, Israel seeks cruise missiles: sources

Israel has speeded up efforts to develop long-range cruise missiles of a type that could be used should the Jewish state try to strike at Iran’s nuclear facilities, security sources said on Tuesday.

Israel sent warplanes to destroy Iraq’s main atomic reactor at Osiraq in 1981 and has not ruled out similar action to prevent its arch-foe from getting the bomb should U.S.-led diplomatic pressure on Tehran fail.

The greater ranges to Iran’s nuclear facilities might make cruise missiles more practical than planes, but the United States has rebuffed past Israeli requests to buy them.

Cruise missiles are programmed to seek out and hit distant targets, flying low to avoid radar. But only the United States and Russia are known to have mastered all aspects of production.

“A top priority has been put on developing this technology, in light of the Iran situation, as well as improving the Arrow,” an Israeli security source said, referring to the anti-missile defense system designed by state-run Israel Aircraft Industries.

Jane’s Defense Weekly said in 2004 that Israel Military Industries had fielded the country’s first cruise missile, but its range was only around 300 km (190 miles).

There have also been media reports that government arms manufacturer Rafael created at least a prototype cruise missile by attaching a jet booster to its medium-range Popeye missile.

Israel asked Washington to sell it Tomahawk cruise missiles in 2000, during peace talks with Syria. Israel argued that it would need Tomahawks to make up for the loss of “strategic depth” were it to return the occupied Golan Heights to Syria.

The request went unmet. Defense experts saw U.S. reluctance to stir up jitters among Israel’s rivals in the Middle East.
“The United States would not want to export such a capable weapon at such sensitive times,” said Jane’s analyst Robert Hewson, noting that Tomahawks can carry nuclear warheads. Israel is believed to have the region’s only atomic arsenal.

Flap bets the United States sells Israel as many Tomahawk cruise missiles as they can afford. And the USA will sell Israel Aegis anti-missile defense systems so that they can deploy them on Israeli Navy ships.

If Iran ever thought they could lob a few chemical or biological laced Shabab-3 missiles at Israel, they better think AGAIN. Israel will defend themselves against the missiles and unleash their nuclear arsenal via bombers and cruise missiles with the help of the United States and its allies.

Now, Ahmadinejad what do you think of those facts?

Stay tunedâ€¦â€¦.