91.   Western countries, including the United States, have suspected North Korea, Iran and Syria of developing long-range missiles capable of hitting the United States.

92.   Yet the country continues to develop missiles and does not hesitate to sell them to other countries for hard currency.

93.   The missiles will be developed by the European group MBDA, which belongs jointly to BAE Systems of Britain, the European constructor EADS and the Italian Finmeccanica.

94.   The Sky Bow missiles were developed by the military-run Chungshan Institute for Science and Technology.

95.   It suspects the missile is being developed to target Pakistan.

96.   Rao, who also holds the defence portfolio, vowed to continue developing missiles for the armed forces despite criticism from the United States.

97.   Since then, South Korea has tried to develop longer-range missiles.

98.   The missile defense programs are top priorities for the Israelis, who fear that Syria and Iran are developing missiles capable of striking Israel.