, While Russia said it intends to create its own missile shield in response to an American one planned to be based in Poland and the Czech Republic, NATO has warned that missile proliferation could split the alliance.
The head of the Russian air force said Tuesday that the country would begin developing a new air defense system after the US announced it planned to station two bases for its own missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic, countries that used to fall under the former Soviet Union's sphere of influence but are now NATO members.
“We are moving to the creation of a new system of anti-aircraft defense which will significantly surpass the capabilities of the S-400,” Gen. Vladimir Mikhailov said, referring to Russia's existing anti-aircraft missile system.
As the United States has done in presenting its plans, Mikhailov stressed that the system would not be used to attack other countries. “This is not an offensive but rather a defensive weapon,” he said.
The head of the US Missile Defense Agency, Lieutenant General Henry Obering, was in Ukraine Wednesday to reassure politicians about the US plans to locate a missile battery in Poland and radar system in the Czech Republic. He is scheduled to brief officials in the German foreign ministry on the American anti-missile system plans on Thursday.
“We understand that General Obering is visiting Berlin with the aim of informing us about the current state of plans for the US defense shield,” ministry spokesman Jens Pl
Britain, Germany jointly developing missiles: ministers
Britain and Germany are working together to develop strike missiles, their defence ministers said Thursday, as Russia's war rages in...
