Janes Defence Weekly, Mar. 4, 2004
JID specialist reviews Israel's nuclear deterrent
The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in the Middle East has been driven by Israel's possession of nuclear weapons. Its vulnerable position within an overwhelmingly hostile region led it to develop a vast array of technologically advanced weapons systems to bolster its security against a wide range of threats, including the threat that Iraq would launch chemical weapons during the 1991 Gulf War and, more recently, Iran's nuclear aspirations and medium-range missile capability.
Of course, Israel has not openly declared itself to be a nuclear power, preferring to maintain a policy of 'nuclear ambiguity' that is considered to provide a level of deterrence against would-be aggressors. However, satellite images have to a great extent ended the operational and technical uncertainties that underlined the covert status of Israel's nuclear weapons programme.
At present, Israel is believed to have at least 200 nuclear weapons - possibly more than the UK - including thermonuclear weapons. Its intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) systems are capable of reaching most Arab countries and include 50 Jericho-2 missiles with 1,500km range and 1,000kg payload. It also includes around 50 Jericho-1 missiles, which have a 500km range and a 500kg payload. The Jericho-3 programme, which is currently under development, will produce missiles with a range up to 4,800km and 1,000kg payload. Nuclear weapons could also be delivered by F-4E Phantoms, Kfir-C2s, F-l5s or A-4 Skyhawks.
The Israeli nuclear programme, which began almost as soon as Israel became a nation-state in 1948, is centred on the 150MW heavy-water reactor and plutonium reprocessing facility at Dimona, which are not under IAEA safeguards, and an IRR-1 5MW research reactor at Soreq, which is safeguarded. In 1986, 60 photographs of activities in the Dimona facility, taken by Mordechai Vanunu, an Israeli nuclear technician who had been dismissed, were published in the UK's Sunday Times. His information remains the most specific and detailed information to be made public about the Israeli nuclear weapons programme.
Vanunu's photographs covered almost all areas of Dimona's Machon 2 facility, revealing plutonium production, plutonium spheres used in nuclear warheads and bomb component fabrication. This information also revealed Israel's possession of over 200 bombs with boosted devices; neutron bombs; F-16-deliverable warheads and Jericho warheads. Vanunu's release from prison - possibly this April - may result in further revelations.
The continued focus on WMD proliferation may have unintentionally brought Israel's own capabilities to Washington's attention. Israel is never mentioned in the six-monthly reports the US Congress requires the intelligence agencies to prepare on the acquisition of WMD by foreign countries. The National Air and Space Intelligence Center lists 18 nations with missiles, with Israel noticeable by its absence from the list. The USA, which is Israel's main foreign ally and aid donor, seeks to prevent 'rogue states' from seeking WMD while tolerating their possession by states deemed responsible.
LINK--> http://www.janes.com/security/international_security/news/jid/jid040304_1_n.shtml
JID specialist reviews Israel's nuclear deterrent
The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in the Middle East has been driven by Israel's possession of nuclear weapons. Its vulnerable position within an overwhelmingly hostile region led it to develop a vast array of technologically advanced weapons systems to bolster its security against a wide range of threats, including the threat that Iraq would launch chemical weapons during the 1991 Gulf War and, more recently, Iran's nuclear aspirations and medium-range missile capability.
Of course, Israel has not openly declared itself to be a nuclear power, preferring to maintain a policy of 'nuclear ambiguity' that is considered to provide a level of deterrence against would-be aggressors. However, satellite images have to a great extent ended the operational and technical uncertainties that underlined the covert status of Israel's nuclear weapons programme.
At present, Israel is believed to have at least 200 nuclear weapons - possibly more than the UK - including thermonuclear weapons. Its intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) systems are capable of reaching most Arab countries and include 50 Jericho-2 missiles with 1,500km range and 1,000kg payload. It also includes around 50 Jericho-1 missiles, which have a 500km range and a 500kg payload. The Jericho-3 programme, which is currently under development, will produce missiles with a range up to 4,800km and 1,000kg payload. Nuclear weapons could also be delivered by F-4E Phantoms, Kfir-C2s, F-l5s or A-4 Skyhawks.
The Israeli nuclear programme, which began almost as soon as Israel became a nation-state in 1948, is centred on the 150MW heavy-water reactor and plutonium reprocessing facility at Dimona, which are not under IAEA safeguards, and an IRR-1 5MW research reactor at Soreq, which is safeguarded. In 1986, 60 photographs of activities in the Dimona facility, taken by Mordechai Vanunu, an Israeli nuclear technician who had been dismissed, were published in the UK's Sunday Times. His information remains the most specific and detailed information to be made public about the Israeli nuclear weapons programme.
Vanunu's photographs covered almost all areas of Dimona's Machon 2 facility, revealing plutonium production, plutonium spheres used in nuclear warheads and bomb component fabrication. This information also revealed Israel's possession of over 200 bombs with boosted devices; neutron bombs; F-16-deliverable warheads and Jericho warheads. Vanunu's release from prison - possibly this April - may result in further revelations.
The continued focus on WMD proliferation may have unintentionally brought Israel's own capabilities to Washington's attention. Israel is never mentioned in the six-monthly reports the US Congress requires the intelligence agencies to prepare on the acquisition of WMD by foreign countries. The National Air and Space Intelligence Center lists 18 nations with missiles, with Israel noticeable by its absence from the list. The USA, which is Israel's main foreign ally and aid donor, seeks to prevent 'rogue states' from seeking WMD while tolerating their possession by states deemed responsible.
LINK--> http://www.janes.com/security/international_security/news/jid/jid040304_1_n.shtml