N.Korea, Iran, Pakistan Could‘Share Missile Technology’ (data sharing cuts down time & cost)
Chosun Ilbo ^ | 08/03/06
 

N.Korea, Iran, Pakistan Could‘Share Missile Technology’

North Korea’s Taepodong-2 missile appears to be the same model as Iran's Shahab-5 missile, a report on North Korea's ballistic missile program by the Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security (IFANS) under the Foreign Ministry says. The report states that Iran and China have a defense industry cooperation pact, hinting at a three-way relationship that also includes China’s long-term ally North Korea. "It cannot be ruled out that the very difficult turbo pump technology problem was solved with the help of China," it adds. The report also says North Korea's mid-range Rodong missile is almost exactly the same as Pakistan's Ghauri and Iran's Shahab-3 missile, which suggests that another data sharing and exchange relationship between the three may be the reason North Korea was able to deploy 50 of its Rodong missiles after conducting just one test-launch.

The report indicates the background to North Korea's missile development are such "international connections" bringing together funds from China and South Asia, technology from the former Soviet Union, and Chinese equipment. "In the early 1990s as the U.S. and the Soviet Union started to move away from short- and medium-range missiles, North Korea and China were able to conquer that world niche market," it says. "Once China in the gaze of the international community began to throttle back its export of long-range ballistic missiles, North Korea became the sole remaining player in that market."

A Foreign Ministry spokesman said the report was based on information from academics and does not reflect the government's official position.