ASSESSMENTS

What’s Driving Iran to Build a Better Missile

Feb 18, 2020 | 20:15 GMT

This photo shows Iran's successful test launch of its Qiam-1 ballistic missile

This photo shows a test-launch of the Iranian Qiam-1 ballistic missile. The tactical and strategic advantages that missiles give to Iran mean it will resist any future efforts to limit its ability to develop more advanced missile systems.

(MOSHEN SHANDIZ/Cobis via Getty Images)

Highlights

Iran's perceptions of the threats it faces combined with its weakness in other military areas will continue to drive its desire to develop ballistic and cruise missiles.
Iranian missile research and development efforts have increasingly focused on improving the reliability, accuracy and effectiveness of its missile systems to give them more tactical utility.
Attacks over the past two years show that while Iranian missiles have become more accurate, improvements in accuracy remain a work in progress.

Greater attention will be given to Iran's missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programs from now on. The September drone attacks on the Abqaiq and Khurais oil facilities in Saudi Arabia and the January missile attack on two military bases in Iraq that left 109 U.S. military members diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries highlighted Iran's increased willingness to use its missile and UAV arsenal for tactical and strategic objectives....

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