In addition, North Korea has also offered the services of scientists and engineers to assist Iran's missile program. Both the NIE 95-19 and the Gates Panel explored the possibility of cruise missiles being launched from seaborne platforms against the United States. Gormley stated that cruise missiles provide an alternative launch capability to states that wish to acquire ballistic missiles. Cruise missiles, as compared to ballistic missiles, are subject to fewer export controls, possess increased mobility, have a reduced size, are easily maintained, and can operate in extreme temperatures. While many countries possess cruise missiles, most cruise missiles command a range of under 100 km.
Indigenous development is time consuming, but technically feasible.
The increase in commercial aircraft and maintenance requirements aid the distribution of knowledge that can be transferred from civil to military applications. The conversion of existing anti-ship cruise missiles or UAVs presents an entirely different problem. UAVs, which are used in earth observation, are easily available and provide a platform for cruise missile development. Gormley stated that the larger and more simplistic anti-ship cruise missiles much like the Russian Styx and the Chinese Silkworm family, would be easiest to convert. He noted that the ability to exchange payload size for increased range is more easily accomplished in cruise missile than in ballistic missiles.