Executive overview: Jane's Strategic Weapon Systems

This overview presents a broad outline of the key events associated with Jane's Strategic Weapon Systems over the last 12 months.

- US reports state that there were around 100 foreign ballistic missile flight tests in 2007, with the majority of these tested by China, Iran and the Russian Federation. In addition, the US stated that 30 nations had deployed operational ballistic missiles. Unlike earlier years no further details were provided by the US, and so it is not possible to assess the types, ranges or numbers of missiles tested by individual nations. It is unfortunate, as it prevents a clear understanding of 'the threat' as it is being described by the intelligence communities.

- Iran displayed Ghadr-1 (upgraded Shahab 3) and Fateh-3 (upgraded Fateh A-110) (September 2007). Iran announced the Ashoura ballistic missile, with a range of 2,000 km (November 2007), which Israeli and US reports described as being a two-stage solid propellant IRBM. Iran was reported to have started building ballistic missile silos near to Tabriz, in the north-western region of the country (February 2008). Iran states that it will install a further 6,000 centrifuges at the Natanz facility, to enrich uranium (March 2008).

- China's new Jin class (Type 094) SSBN was pictured alongside dock (July 2007). China showed pictures of new DF-25 IRBM (July 2007). China launched Chang'e 1 lunar orbiter (October 2007). China is estimated to have 400 to 500 nuclear warheads fitted to operational missiles, bombs and held in reserve (November 2007). China is developing H-8 stealth bomber, to carry cruise missiles.

- Quasi/semi-ballistic missile developments are increasing defence problems by introducing low trajectories, manoeuvres in flight, and unexpected changes in direction and range. These include ICBM, SLBM as well as several new SRBM. In addition, ballistic missiles may be achieving sufficient accuracy to threaten capital ships. The three-stage version of the Russian Federation's Club (3M54 or SS-N-27 Sizzler B) cruise missile, has a small third stage resembling the size of a re-entry vehicle from a ballistic missile.

- Pakistan made first flight test of Ra'ad (Hatf 8) cruise missile (August 2007). Pakistan made fifth test of Babur cruise missile (December 2007). Pakistan made fifth and sixth tests of Shaheen 2 IRBM (April 2008). Pakistan government implied that around 50 nuclear warheads are available (March 2008).

- Syria reported to have ordered Iranian Tondar (C-802) cruise missiles, for ground launching and fitting on Tir fast attack craft (July 2007). Syria reported to be developing and building a version of the Iranian Fateh A-110 SRBM (August 2007). Syrian nuclear reactor project destroyed by Israeli aircraft (September 2007).

- India to develop Nirbhay cruise missile, with range of 1,000 km (July 2007). India to develop Agni 4 ICBM with MIRV and decoys (December 2007). India first test of K-15, perhaps a modified Sagarika design, cruise missile from submerged pontoon (February 2008).

- Russia tested modified R-29RM (SS-N-23) Sineva SLBM (August and December 2007). Russia tested RS-24 ICBM with three MIRV (December 2007). Russia tested RS-12M (SS-25) ICBM with manoeuvring RV (December 2007). 511 of 9,284 words