. Military Space News .
MISSILE DEFENSE
US, Russia step up war of words over missile shield
By Maja Czarnecka with Mary Sibierski in Warsaw
Redzikowo, Poland (AFP) May 13, 2016


Poland moves on missile shield as Russia voices outrage
Redzikowo, Poland (AFP) May 13, 2016 - Poland on Friday broke ground on the northern section of a US missile defence shield launched in Romania a day earlier, which Russia slammed as a serious security threat despite US assurances to the contrary.

"Although we joined NATO years ago, now we are seeing that NATO is truly entering Poland," Polish President Andrzej Duda said before ceremony participants took shovels in hand and began digging at the Polish air force base.

Located in Redzikowo, northern Poland, and Deveselu in southern Romania, the two missile interceptor stations are part of NATO's larger European shield, due to become fully operational by 2018.

US and NATO officials insist the system is intended to counter the threat of short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, particularly from so-called "rogue" states the Middle East like Iran.

But with the Redzikowo station just 250 kilometres (155 miles) from the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, Moscow views the system as a security threat on its very doorstep.

President Vladimir Putin on Friday warned Washington that Russia will consider measures to "end threats" from US anti-missile systems in Europe but said Moscow would not be engaged in a new arms race.

US Deputy Secretary of Defence Robert Work was on hand Friday for the start of construction on the Aegis Ashore-type missile defence facility in Redzikowo.

It will include 24 land-based SM-3 missiles as well as anti-aircraft systems.

The facility in Poland "is a US contribution to NATO missile defence," Work said at the ground-breaking ceremonies, adding that "when completed in 2018 it will be capable of defending the central and northern arc of NATO."

Work also said that "by the (NATO) Warsaw summit in July, we expect alliance leaders to declare initial operational capability for the NATO ballistic missile defence system."

Launched in 2010, NATO's anti-missile shield system -- based essentially on US technology -- involves the progressive deployment of missile interceptors and powerful radar in eastern Europe and Turkey.

NATO and the United States said this spring that they will switch their defence doctrine from assurance to deterrence in Eastern Europe in response to a "resurgent and aggressive Russia" following its 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.

The Pentagon said in March it would begin continuous rotations of an additional armoured brigade of about 4,200 troops in Eastern Europe beginning in early 2017.

Spooked by Russian action toward Ukraine, eastern NATO members including the formerly Soviet-ruled Baltic states and Poland have lobbied the alliance to increase its presence in the region to guarantee security.

The United States and Russia on Friday accused each other of mounting an aggressive military presence in northern Europe, with Moscow vowing to "end threats" posed by a US missile shield near its border.

The stepped-up war of words came as Poland on Friday broke ground on the northern section of a US missile defence shield launched in Romania a day earlier, which Russia slammed as a serious security threat despite US assurances to the contrary.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday warned Washington that Moscow will consider measures to "end threats" from the US anti-missile systems in Europe but said it would not be engaged in a new arms race.

"Now that these anti-missile elements have been installed, we will be forced to consider putting an end to the threats emerging in relation to Russia's security," Putin told defence officials in televised remarks.

US President Barack Obama hit back hours later, warning Russia about its military build-up in northern Europe, as he hosted leaders from five Nordic countries at the White House.

"We are united in our concern about Russia's growing aggressive military presence and posture in the Baltic-Nordic region," Obama said.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said last week that Moscow will set up three new divisions in the west and south of the country by the end of the year to counter NATO forces close to its border.

Relations between NATO and Moscow have sharply deteriorated since Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in March 2014, sparking fears among other eastern European countries that they too could be targets of Russian aggression.

- NATO European shield -

Located in Redzikowo, northern Poland, and Deveselu in southern Romania, the two US missile interceptor stations are part of NATO's larger European shield, due to become fully operational by 2018.

US and NATO officials insist the system is intended to counter the threat of short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, particularly from so-called "rogue" states in the Middle East.

But with the Redzikowo station just 250 kilometres (155 miles) from the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, Moscow views the system as a security threat on its very doorstep.

US Deputy Secretary of Defence Robert Work was on hand Friday for the start of construction on the Aegis Ashore-type missile defence facility in Redzikowo.

It will include 24 land-based SM-3 missiles as well as anti-aircraft systems.

The facility in Poland "is a US contribution to NATO missile defence," Work said at the ground-breaking ceremonies, adding that "when completed in 2018 it will be capable of defending the central and northern arc of NATO."

Work also said that "by the (NATO) Warsaw summit in July, we expect alliance leaders to declare initial operational capability for the NATO ballistic missile defence system."

"Although we joined NATO years ago, now we are seeing that NATO is truly entering Poland," Polish President Andrzej Duda said before ceremony participants took shovels in hand and began digging at the Polish air force base.

Launched in 2010, NATO's anti-missile shield system -- based essentially on US technology -- involves the progressive deployment of missile interceptors and powerful radar in eastern Europe and Turkey.

NATO and the United States said this spring that they will switch their defence doctrine from assurance to deterrence in eastern Europe in response to a "resurgent and aggressive Russia" following its annexation of Crimea.

The Pentagon said in March it would begin continuous rotations of an additional armoured brigade of about 4,200 troops in eastern Europe beginning in early 2017.

Spooked by Russian action toward Ukraine, eastern NATO members including the formerly Soviet-ruled Baltic states and Poland have lobbied the alliance to increase its presence in the region to guarantee security.


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


.


Related Links
Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com
Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com
All about missiles at SpaceWar.com
Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com






Comment on this article via your Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

Previous Report
MISSILE DEFENSE
Moscow seeks guarantees US missiles in Asia not to target Russia
Bocharov Ruchei (Sputnik) May 10, 2016
Moscow seeks legally binding guarantees that the United States' plans to deploy missile defense technologies in Eastern Asia are not directed against Russia, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday. The United States has been in dialogue with South Korea over the proposed deployment of the THAAD system over the past year. THAAD is capable of shooting down short-, medium- and intermediate-rang ... read more


MISSILE DEFENSE
US missile shield in Romania goes live to Russian fury

US heralds Romania missile defence system as step forward

Moscow seeks guarantees US missiles in Asia not to target Russia

Romania's US missile defense system has only 'symbolic' function

MISSILE DEFENSE
Raytheon gets Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile contract

MBDA's Brimstone missile completes RAF trials

Jordan to buy US-made TOW missiles: company

This is Why Russia's S-500 Air Defense System Makes Pentagon Nervous

MISSILE DEFENSE
Radar integration effort starts to improve ISR capabilities

K-MAX optionally piloted helos deployed to Arizona

Bats' flight technique could lead to better drones

AeroVironment Unveils Mantis i45 EO IR Gimbal Payload for Puma AE

MISSILE DEFENSE
SES Enables Danish Defence Wideband Global Satcom System Connectivity

How the Marriage of Third Offset, Better Buying Power Affects Industry

Industry Wants to Ensure the Warfighter Is Always Supported

Harris providing advanced satcom terminals to Army

MISSILE DEFENSE
BAE Systems, Czech company team for CV90 contract

Cubic to research Air Force readiness, training

U.S. MRAPs arrive in Egypt

U.S. Army's Stryker to get 30mm cannon upgrade

MISSILE DEFENSE
Nordic countries sign joint procurement agreement

Black cadets cause West Point stir with raised fists

Australia gets Singapore defence investment boost

Nigeria says lost $15 bn in military procurement fraud

MISSILE DEFENSE
Ex-NATO heads, US defence chiefs fire Brexit warning

Georgia launches major drills with US, UK troops

Germany to increase troops for first time since Cold War ended

British 'barbarians' need manners lesson, says China paper in rudeness row

MISSILE DEFENSE
Little ANTs: Researchers build the world's tiniest engine

New movies from the microcosmos

Ultra-long, one-dimensional carbon chains are synthesised for the first time

Rice introduces Teslaphoresis to help assemble Nanotubes









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.