bobdina
08-12-2009, 11:45 AM
Russia To Counter Space-Based Missile Systems
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Published: 11 Aug 2009 06:53
MOSCOW - Russia is developing missiles to counter space-based missile systems that could soon be deployed by the United States, Russia's air force commander was quoted as saying Aug. 11.
"We are building new missiles that will be capable of defending not only against air-defense systems but space-based systems," Gen. Alexander Zelin said, quoted by Russian news agencies.
The United States and other countries will have deployed such satellite-based missile systems capable of striking any target in Russia by 2030, he said.
"Foreign air forces, above of all the United States, will acquire the capability to deal time-synchronized precision strikes on a global scale at virtually any target on Russia territory," Zelin said.
The threat "is not virtual, but real," he added.
To counter such potential, Russia has begun work on the S-500 surface-to-air missile system that would have ballistic missile tracking capabilities and aim at a range of up to 3,500 kilometers (2,175 miles), according to defense reports.
"The S-500 system is capable of defeating all manner of ballistic missiles and supersonic air devices," Zelin said.
Moscow vehemently opposes U.S. plans to site a missile defense shield in Eastern Europe and has reacted warily to plans under the previous U.S. administration it claimed had accelerated the militarization of outer space.
Washington insists its shield plan is not directed against Russia but threats from "rogue states" such as Iran.
Last year, when the U.S. military was planning to shoot down a rogue U.S. spy satellite, Russia's defense ministry said the plans looked like a veiled weapons test and an "attempt to move the arms race into space."
Both Russia and China have proposed a new treaty banning the use of weapons in space, but the idea was rejected by the White House.
http://www.apacheclips.com/boards/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=121
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Published: 11 Aug 2009 06:53
MOSCOW - Russia is developing missiles to counter space-based missile systems that could soon be deployed by the United States, Russia's air force commander was quoted as saying Aug. 11.
"We are building new missiles that will be capable of defending not only against air-defense systems but space-based systems," Gen. Alexander Zelin said, quoted by Russian news agencies.
The United States and other countries will have deployed such satellite-based missile systems capable of striking any target in Russia by 2030, he said.
"Foreign air forces, above of all the United States, will acquire the capability to deal time-synchronized precision strikes on a global scale at virtually any target on Russia territory," Zelin said.
The threat "is not virtual, but real," he added.
To counter such potential, Russia has begun work on the S-500 surface-to-air missile system that would have ballistic missile tracking capabilities and aim at a range of up to 3,500 kilometers (2,175 miles), according to defense reports.
"The S-500 system is capable of defeating all manner of ballistic missiles and supersonic air devices," Zelin said.
Moscow vehemently opposes U.S. plans to site a missile defense shield in Eastern Europe and has reacted warily to plans under the previous U.S. administration it claimed had accelerated the militarization of outer space.
Washington insists its shield plan is not directed against Russia but threats from "rogue states" such as Iran.
Last year, when the U.S. military was planning to shoot down a rogue U.S. spy satellite, Russia's defense ministry said the plans looked like a veiled weapons test and an "attempt to move the arms race into space."
Both Russia and China have proposed a new treaty banning the use of weapons in space, but the idea was rejected by the White House.
http://www.apacheclips.com/boards/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=121