Cuba has send Soviet weapons to North Korea including anti-aircraft batteries and missiles 1707131

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Defence & Security News - Cuba
 
 
Wednesday, July 17, 2013 09:07 AM
 
Cuba has send Soviet weapons to North Korea including anti-aircraft batteries and missiles.
Cuba has said a North Korean cargo ship seized in Panama was loaded at one of its ports with 240 tons of "obsolete defensive weaponry". The Cuban foreign ministry said in a statement on Wednesday, July 17, 2013, that the Soviet-era weapons were being sent to North Korea for repair and included two anti-aircraft batteries, nine disassembled rockets, and two MiG-21 aircraft.
     
Cuba has said a North Korean cargo ship seized in Panama was loaded at one of its ports with 240 tons of "obsolete defensive weaponry". The Cuban foreign ministry said in a statement on Wednesday, July 17, 2013, that the Soviet-era weapons were being sent to North Korea for repair and included two anti-aircraft batteries, nine disassembled rockets, and two MiG-21 aircraft..
North Korean cargo ship Chong Chon Gang carrying hidden 'missile equipment'.
     

"The agreements Cuba has signed in these areas are based on our need to maintain our defensive capacity to protect national sovereignty," the statement said.

The Chong Chon Gang was detained on Tuesday after Panamanian authorities detected what appeared to be ballistic missiles and other arms, Ricardo Martinelli, the country's president, has said.

United States department deputy spokesman Patrick Ventrell on Tuesday commended Panama's search and seizure of a North Korean-flaggedship traveling from Cuba to the Panama Canal and offered Washington's help if requested.

Panamanian authorities said the ship was being held and that they had detained the crew members.

The shipment could violate harsh UN arms sanctions on North Korea intended to halt its nuclear programme, and will likely worsen relations between Havana and Washington.

North Korea carried out its third nuclear weapons test in February and then threatened to attack the US.

The North has for decades had a programme to develop missiles of all types.