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Syria develops new missile with Iranian support By Barak Ravid Syria has successfully developed a new surface-to-surface missile that would enable it to target with greater accuracy Israeli installations - such as airports, ports and factories - according briefings recently presented to senior ministers. According to the information, Syria developed the new missile with Iranian support, which is further indication of the tight strategic bonds between the two countries. Much of these strategic ties revolve around military and intelligence cooperation. Advertisement Israeli defense circles estimate that Damascus and Tehran shared technical know-how that has allowed Syria to upgrade the Iranian-made Zelzal surface-to-surface missile. The missile has an operational range of approximately 250 kilometers and is capable of carrying an especially large warhead. It is believed that the missile is more accurate than other similar surface-to-surface weapons in the Syrian arsenal. This comes at a time when Israeli defense sources have expressed growing concern at the rearmament program of the Syrian armed forces, mostly with arms transfers from Russia. Among other weapons, Syria has recently acquired the Pantsyr air defense missile system, which is a self-propelled system capable of firing between eight and 12 missiles, that can pose a substantial threat to Israeli air force aircraft. Damascus has also procured modern anti-tank missiles with alleged capabilities of neutralizing the most advanced main battle tank of the IDF, the Merkava Mark IV. However, the head of Mossad, Meir Dagan, told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that at this stage the Syrian defense acquisitions appear to be defensive and that there are no indications that Damascus has any plans to initiate a military action against Israel. Meanwhile, a political source noted yesterday that there is a discernible effort on the part of Syria to improve its missile arsenal - both in terms of range and accuracy. "The problem is that their missiles are being transformed from less-effective weapons into precision weapons that will enable their use against military bases, airports and military depots, which is a very worrying development," the source said. There is growing concern in Israel that the missile arsenal of Syria will be transformed from being a "blind" strategic weapon, into a precision-strike weapon. Syria has a significant missile arsenal. During the Second Lebanon War Hezbollah fired many volleys of 220mm rockets of Syrian make against Israel, causing significant casualties in Israel. According to Israeli estimates, Syria has tens of thousands of rockets of this type, as well as smaller-caliber and shorter-range missiles. In addition, they have Scud-C and Scud-D ballistic missiles with ranges of 500-800 kilometers, which can effectively strike every part of Israeli territory. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Will power Shas Minister Yitzhak Cohen says only a complete Gaza power cut will bring results. The cost of security U.S. estimate: Preparing Palestinian security forces for statehood will cost $7 billion.

Today Online Syria upgrades missiles thanks to Iranian support Responses: 407 2 brothers, 8 and 19, seriously hurt in Sderot Qassam strike Responses: 421 Palestinian PM: Peace deal with Israel 'unlikely' this year Responses: 155 Editorial: Open the Rafah crossing Responses: 168 B. Weinthal: Germany is the logical place to start embargo of Iran Responses: 121 Hamas confiscates humanitarian aid trucks sent to Gaza Responses: 115 More Headlines 01:42 IAF kills Hamas man; 2 hurt in attack on Sderot 03:01 IDF: Hezbollah deploys rockets, missiles in south Lebanon 20:37 Hamas: W. Bank residents could breach border fence, enter Israel 20:32 U.K.: Gaza electricity cut risks harming humanitarian situation 22:49 Shas Min.: Only complete power cut in Gaza will bring results 22:02 Vilnius Catholics derogatorily portray Jews in holiday parade 21:04 PA negotiator: Peace deal possible in 2008 if sides honor commitments 20:53 Tennis: Israel takes 2-1 lead in Davis Cup match against Sweden 20:28 Israel complains to UN Security Council over rocket barrage 20:23 PA census: Nearly 4 million Palestinians live in W. Bank, Gaza, E. J'lem 01:48 Turkish lawmakers lift ban on Islamic head scarves at universities 02:12 Study: Soviet immigrants outperform Israeli high-schoolers Previous Editions Select Day 08 feb 07 feb 06 feb 05 feb 04 feb 03 feb 01 feb 31 jan 30 jan 29 jan 28 jan 27 jan

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