Russia building missiles to counter US space defences
RUSSIA: Russia is developing missiles designed to avoid being hit by
space-based missile defence systems that could be deployed by the United
States, a top Russian general was quoted as saying Monday.
"Development is now under way on the combat outfitting of missiles
whose flight falls outside the range of space-based missile defence
systems," Nikolai Solovtsov, the commander of Russia's missile forces,
told Interfax news agency.
Solovtsov called the project a countermeasure to what he described as
US plans to deploy weapons in space, according to Interfax.
"Judging by an analysis of US work in new weapons development and
creation, they truly see space as a potential sphere for armed conflict
and in connection with this are not withdrawing from plans to place
weapons in space," he said.
He also said Russia was "perfecting the structure and makeup" of its
missile forces in response to a planned US land-based missile shield, a
controversial project that has provoked furious reactions from Moscow.
Solvtsov said the steps would include deployment of RS-24
intercontinental missiles, designed to overcome systems such as the US
missile shield.
In recent months Moscow has sharply criticised Washington's plans to
put an anti-missile radar facility in the Czech Republic and interceptor
missiles in Poland, despite US assurances that the system is not
directed against Russia.
Russia has also reacted warily to US moves that it has seen as
contributing to the militarisation of outer space under the hawkish
administration of President George W. Bush.
In February, when the US military was planning to shoot down a rogue
US spy satellite, Russia's defence ministry said the plans looked like a
veiled weapons test and an "attempt to move the arms race into space."
That month Russia and China proposed a new treaty banning the use of
weapons in space, but the idea was rejected by the White House.
Moscow, Monday, AFP
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