Egypt has obtained components for guidance systems from German companies in a renewed effort to complete a medium-range ballistic missile.

European intelligence sources said the Egyptian orders were placed over the last year, with the latest one submitted in February. They said the Egyptian government bought the components from Germany through front companies.

The missile transaction was traced by both European and U.S. intelligence services, the sources said. They said the components were delivered from Germany to Japan, where the shipment disappeared. They said the components were sent to North Korea for modification and are now believed to be in Egypt.