A US missile defense system aimed at protecting Europe from ballistic missile threats is moving into higher gear this week, with a site in Romania becoming operational on Thursday and officials breaking ground at another site in Poland a day later.
Advertisement
During the official meeting with Romanian representatives on the eve of the opening of the Aegis missile defense system in Romania, Frank Rose noted that the USA and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation made it clear that the missile defense system was not able to undermine Russia’s strategic potential, nor was it designed for the objective.
The issue remains highly sensitive as the United States does not want to give any impression it would be able to shoot down Russian ballistic missiles that were carrying nuclear warheads, which is what Russia fears. It is necessary to say openly, without any further diplomatic wording.
In connection with the deployment of the United States missile defense system in Romania, the Russian Defense Ministry intends to increase spending on the development of next-generation technologies before 2020.
In spite of repeated assurances, the Kremlin maintains that the real goal of the defense shield is to provide the USA with enough military might to neutralize Russia’s nuclear arsenal in order to make a first strike, in the event a war breaks out. The system was originally intended for possible Iranian-made medium-range rockets, but Moscow saw the development of the system as a direct threat to the credibility of its nuclear deterrence.
The agreement between the U.S. and Romania on the deployment of the ballistic missile defense system in Romania was signed in September 2011 and work on the base started at the end of October 2013.
“It is part of the military and political containment of Russia”, Andrey Kelin, a senior Russian Foreign Ministry official, reportedly said Thursday, adding that the move by the USA -led alliance will further deteriorate ties between Moscow and Washington. Situated some 250 kilometres (150 miles) from the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, it will host 24 land-based SM-3 missiles as well as anti-aircraft systems.
Washington says Russian Federation has a ballistic missile stockpile, in breach of a treaty agreed by the two powers not to develop and deploy missiles with a range of between 500 km (310 miles) to 5,500 km. The Kremlin is concerned the missile shield could be used against it.
Advertisement
He, however, insisted that the system was aimed against general threats, dismissing a perception that it was targeted towards Russian Federation. General Ben Hodges, the commander of U.S. Army forces in Europe, said in December. Also, they did not agree to establish in a legally binding manner that the created missile defense system is not directed against Russian Federation. USA ship-based systems of this type are capable of launching both interceptor missiles and medium-range cruise missiles Tomahawk.
