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Last week, the Associated Press reported that Russia signed a contract to sell S-300 missiles to rogue state Iran, missiles that had yet to be delivered. Russia has denied selling those missiles to Iran. (Source)

Russia’s Foreign Ministry said the country “has sold to Iran only defensive weapons that cannot destabilize the situation in the region” and added that Russia doesn’t sell S-300 missiles to the Middle East or Southwest Asia.

Russia’s track record speaks for itself. Even if it hasn’t sold S-300 missiles to Iran, it doesn’t mean the deal won’t happen. Fortunately for Russia and unfortunately for us, we have a president in the White House who is lukewarm to the Iranian threat and to the agreements we painstakingly made with Poland and the Czech Republic. Russia couldn’t have picked a better time to obfuscate and play dumb.

(Photo credit: Reuters)

 
In what’s shaping up to be a pivotal week in missile defense, we offer the following news:

>> The Associated Press reports that Russia signed a contract to sell S-300 missiles to rogue state Iran, missiles that have yet to be delivered. Iran has not been shy about its intention to develop long-range ballistic missiles with nuclear capabilities, but our president believes he can renege on deals with Poland and the Czech Republic in exchange for Russia helping to contain Iran. How exactly will Russia accomplish this task when its willing to sell missiles to Iran?

>> Speaking of the Czech Republic, Reuters reports that the government “temporarily pulled back” from parliament agreements between the Czechs and the U.S. to install missile defense radar. Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek said, “This does not mean we would give up on the ratification process. We will return to this issue after talks with the U.S. administration and after the NATO summit in Strasbourg and Kehl.”

>> With Russia set to sell more missiles to Iran, it’s no surprise that Israel may use ballistic missiles against the rogue state’s nuclear facilities. Israel may have Jericho missiles capable of reaching Iran. (Source)

>> The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) reports that the U.S. shot down a medium-range ballistic missile during a test in Hawaii, the first time our military fired two missile interceptors at one target. MDA spokesman Rick Lehner said, “Any time you’re in a combat situation, more than likely you will launch more than one interceptor in case one fails.” (Source)

>> President Barack Obama is set to announce the appointment of Representative Ellen Tauscher (pictured above) to the post of Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. Tauscher, who has experience in military matters, is chair of the House Armed Services Committee’s subcommittee on strategic forces. (Source)

 
**Good news for U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin. The company likely will post higher 4th quarter earnings, a trend that began under President George Bush. In fact, its earnings more than doubled under Bush. The higher profits may continue under Barack Obama. Bloomberg reports that Lockheed’s earnings rose one percent to $1.91.

Boston-based analyst Cai Von Rumohr said, “Defense stocks were pretty awful in the fourth quarter on a growing recognition of pension issues and concern Obama would be worse for the industry…With Obama wanting to create jobs it’s much less likely he’ll be looking at the defense budget as a way to save money. That would be counterproductive.” (Bloomberg)

**In other Lockheed news, UPI reports that the company’s F-35 stealth Lightning Joint Strike Fighter is designed to destroy Russia’s S-300, some of which Russia may have sold to rogue state Iran. With Israel in Syria’s and Iran’s sights, the U.S. is ready, willing, and able to supply our ally with missile defense technology like the F-35. (UPI)

**According to the AFP, India’s latest missile defense test was a failure. Indian scientists said the Russia/India-developed BrahMos missile “had flown only in the general direction of its target.” The missile was fired from the Pokhran range near the Pakistan border. (AFP)

Incidentally, India has been in talks with the U.S. to buy a missile defense system. An American embassy official reportedly said, “India is a partner of ours, and we want to provide it with whatever it needs to protect itself…This fits into the overall strategic partnership we are building.”

 
Don’t sell weapons to Israel’s enemies, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Russia on a diplomatic visit earlier this week. We’ve blogged about Russia possibly selling weapons to Iran and Syria, enemies of Israel. Iran, which has been sanctioned by the United Nations, says it will buy S-300 anti-aircraft missiles from Russia. Syria currently is negotiating peace with Israel. Will Iran follow suit? (Associated Press)

American allies Kuwait, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates reportedly are interested in buying the Iskander-E ballistic missile from Russia. The missile is a short-range, surface-to-air weapon system. From the article: “Because the missiles are solid-fueled, they can be launched extremely quickly, again reducing to virtually zero the chances of knocking them out before launch with a pre-emptive airstrike. RIA Novosti said the second missile on a TEL could be fired within a minute of the first one being launched.” (UPI)
 
Richard Danzig, Barack Obama’s senior foreign policy adviser, said our country’s planned missile defense bases in Eastern Europe are not offensive moves against Russia. The U.S. will deploy a radar system to the Czech Republic and 10 missile interceptors to Poland. Russia opposes the bases, and Danzig said the country’s retaliatory actions would have consequences. (AFP)
 
According to the Telegraph, Russia is set to launch its biggest missile test in 24 years. Part of the Stability-2008 strategic maneuvers in Russia and Belarus, the test will last until October 12. East and West are at loggerheads over missile defense, and Russia’s invasion of Georgia and our country’s missile defense plans in Eastern Europe have added to the tension. (Telegraph)