Israel readies new cruise missile

Israel has developed its first surface-to-surface cruise missile, according to a report to be published in Jane's Defence Weekly.

The missile has a range of about 300 km, according to the military magazine.

The report quoted officials at Israel Military Industries as saying the new weapon was an adaptation of the air-launched Delilah cruise missile.

It is said the missile would be able to reach nearby capitals including Damascus and Beirut.

The missile, the Delilah-GL, is guided by a global positioning system, and is said to be able to hover over an area before confirming its target with the operator.

Correspondents say Israel took about 10 years to develop the new technology, after the US twice denied Israeli requests to purchase the Tomahawk land-attack cruise missile.

The missile includes a high explosive 30-kg (66-pound) warhead and can be fitted with a variety of payloads, and is suitable for nuclear weapons.