Vector 
The Vector was a short-range ballistic missile joint program with Argentina, Egypt, and Iraq. This program was designated three different names based on the country: Vector (Egypt); Condor II (Argentina); and, Badr 2000 (Iraq). 1
The Vector had a reported range of between 800 and 1,200 km (497 to 745 miles), varying with size of the warhead. The warhead’s weight could have ranged between 450 and 1,000 kg, although these details remain unconfirmed. According to testimony by Assistant Secretary of State John Kelly, Egypt terminated its cooperation with Argentina and Iraq in September 1989. 2 Some suggest the program was shut down due to the pressure from the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and financial shortcomings. 3 In 1995, the United Nations assessed that no complete Badr 2000 missiles were produced. 4
Since the program’s collapse in the early 1990s, Egypt has refocused its efforts on indigenous Scud B and Scud C research and development. With North Korean help, Egypt has attained Scud B manufacturing capability, and has developed an improved Scud C missile known as “Project T.” 5
The joint program traces its lineage back to the 1970s Argentine space program, most likely a facade to develop ballistic missiles under the guise of space research. In fact, Argentina used the Condor II’s predecessor, known as the Condor I, as a missile research platform and later as the prototype for the Alacran missile. 6
Last Updated 9/11/2012
Footnotes
- Jr., Joseph S. Bermudez. “Pyramid Scheme – Egypt’s Ballistic Missile Test and Launch Facility (Proliferation and Procurement).” Jane’s Intelligence Review 2010. February 4, 2010. (accessed September 11, 2012). ↩
- Global Security. “Weapons of Mass Destruction (See Egypt, missile programs) .” June 24, 2011. http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/egypt/missile.htm (accessed September 11, 2012). ↩
- Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI). “Country Profiles (see Egypt, missile).” November 2011. http://www.nti.org/country-profiles/egypt/delivery-systems/ (accessed September 11, 2012). ↩
- United Nations, “Report of the Secretary General on the Status of the Implementation of the Special Commission’s Plan for the Ongoing Monitoring and Verification of Iraq’s Compliance With Relevant Parts of Section C of Security Council Resolution 687,” Document S/1995/284, April 10, 1995. ↩
- (NTI). “Country Profiles (see Egypt, missile).” ↩
- Lennox, Duncan. “Condor 2 .” Jane’s Strategic Weapon Systems (Offensive Weapons). July 14, 2005. (accessed September 11, 2012). ↩
