Well Iran launched a Shihab 3 today and reports came back that the launch was partially successful, sort of, almost.

If this is all they've got, I wouldn't be poking a sleeping bear with a sharp stick and running my big pie hole.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satelli...cle%2FShowFull


"The Shihab test was only "partly successful," according to news reports. The nature of the difficulties was not clear. The Iranians have been working to extend the Shihab 3's current maximum range of 1,300 kilometers. A year ago, they successfully tested a solid fuel motor for the missile."

"In December, Israel's defense against an Iranian ballistic missile strike, the Arrow 2 missile system, succeeded in intercepting an incoming rocket simulating an Iranian Shihab 3 at an altitude higher than in the previous 13 exercises.

Maj. Elyakim, commander of the Arrow missile battery at Palmahim, told The Jerusalem Post last month that the missile crews were always on high alert, but that they were recently instructed to "raise their level of awareness" because of developments on the Iranian front.
The Arrow missile, he said, could intercept and destroy any Iranian missile fired at Israel, including ones carrying non-conventional warheads. Experts believe that if Iran is attacked by Israel or the US, Teheran would respond by firing long-range ballistic missiles at Israel."

Kim Jong Il is a very kz and dangerous guy. The question of war with the DPRK has often crossed my mind. The NKPA (North Korean People's Army) could very well be a potent force.

The NKPA (North Korean People's Army) has about 500 long-range 240mm multiple rocket launcher systems and 170mm self-propelled guns to hardened sites located near the Demilitarized Zone. they could launch anywhere from 2,000 to 4,400 rounds into Seoul per minute one South Korean report said they could fire 10,000 rounds! This would cause massive loss of civilian life and is a much of a threat as a nuclear weapon going off.

As for the tanks the most advanced one is the T-90 (it has never been tested it battle) as well as countless outdated tanks such as the T-59 and T-34. They have about 3,500 tanks. There total manpower is 1,022,000 active troops 70% of their active force, including approximately 700,000 troops, over 8,000 artillery systems, and 2,000 tanks, is postured within 90 miles of the Demilitarized Zone.

The OOB of the NKPA can be found here:
http://www.globalsecurity.org/milita.../dprk/army.htm
As their Air Force: http://www.globalsecurity.org/milita...k/airforce.htm
And last but not least their Navy: http://www.globalsecurity.org/milita.../dprk/navy.htm

I have read things about their special ops but I still don't know much. Here is a link:
http://www.specwarnet.com/asia/NKSF.htm

In any case I see alot of the Immun Gun (Korean name for the NKPA) being largely destoryed in fighting on the DMZ. once however we reached the Yalu and the major large scale offensive operations were done. I see a long term bombing and small scale raids by partisans going on. Would China become involved? sending in hunderds of thousands of PLA soldiers across the Yalu as they did 56 years ago? Would Communist world wide come to the DPRK as many young islamic fighters have in Iraq to do their "duty" to Allah?


The ROK has 600,000 troops plus 33,000. The ROK has a modern military but still would be hard pressed to hold the north at bay long enough for more US troops to land and push the NKPA back across the DMZ and hopefully the Yalu. It could be a rather nasty mess.

It very much would be. China has already publicly declared the bi-lateral defense pact with North Korea an obsolete document.

You mean China won't come to save NK this time? In which case if NK starts a war it will be knocked back to Kimdom come.

Originally Posted by Springfield

You seem excited about it.....

I'd be.

Originally Posted by Easy-8

As for the tanks the most advanced one is the T-90 (it has never been tested it battle) as well as countless outdated tanks such as the T-59 and T-34.

.

North Korea doesn't have T-90s. Their most advanced tank is the T-62 as far as I know. The other stats on entrenched artillery positions along the border are scary.

Although a North Korean first strike could incur heavy South Korean civilian losses, South Korean forces would eventially own the North even without the US's help. Therefore, there isn't going to be a war.

As for Communists worldwide fighting for NK: None of the European communists I've ever met have any sympathies for North Korea's regime. Take it from me, I used to be one in my teens