Russian Military will "Neutralise" US Threat: Minister
The Russian military is prepared to “neutralise” any threat that the US Missile Defence Shield would pose to its nuclear arsenal, Sergei Kislyak, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, was quoted as having said by news agency Interfax on July 14th.
"If we see the development of systems that could reduce our deterrent potential, our military will have to take steps to neutralise the threat”, he stated, according to Interfax.
Kislyak did not elaborate on these “steps” and what they might entail, but added that they “will be decided by military specialists.”
"We would prefer not to have to do this", he said.
In Kislyak’s opinion, proposed efforts by the US to suppress Russian shield-related fears are still questionable.
US Missile Shield Site Offer
Earlier this year, Condoleezza Rice and Robert Gates – US Secretary of State and US Defence Secretary, respectively – travelled to Moscow. While there, they provided Russia with the option of regulating the sites in Poland and the Czech Republic where parts of the shield – missile interceptors and radar facilities – will be based.
These discussions over, officials in both Poland and the Czech Republic subsequently expressed doubt over the proposal.
"There are misunderstandings between what the US foreign and defence ministers said here [i.e. Moscow] and what their Czech and Polish partners say", said Kislyak, adding: “So this still remains in question."
The US has described the shield as a means of thwarting future attacks from “rogue” states such as North Korea or Iran.
Source - Armed Forces International’s East European Correspondent
Recent related News Items:
US Calls for "Strategic Cooperation" on Missile Shield
US, Czech Republic Sign Missile Defence Deal
US Missile Defence Shield Gets Formal Czech Approval
Delay in Czech/ US Missile Defence Shield Agreement
Need for Missile Defence Shield Hyped, Congress Told
Russia Calls for Permanent Access to Missile Shield Sites
Russia Still Against US Missile Defence Shield
US Missile Defence Shield: US, Russian Discussions Held
US Missile Defence Shield: Czech Rep Agreement "Close"
US Missile Defence Shield: Polish/US Talks Continue
Further Resources:
Products and Services -
Companies providing Missile & Launch Vehicle Test
Companies providing Missile Handling Systems/Equipment
Companies providing Missile Launchers
Companies providing Missile Propellants
Companies providing Missile Propulsion Systems
Companies providing Missiles, Guided
Companies providing Radar Simulation Software
Companies providing Radar Simulators
Companies providing Radar Warning Receiver
