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Congressmen Launch New Bipartisan Missile Defense Caucus

On June 28, Republican and Democratic Members of Congress held a press conference to launch the Congressional Missile Defense Caucus.  Membership in the Caucus entails committing to a mission statement, which is included below. The purpose of the Caucus is to stress the urgency of funding, building, and modernizing a robust missile defense and to address the threats posed by terrorists and rogue nations developing greater ballistic missile capabilities.  Co-chairs include Republican Trent Franks (AZ-02), Democrat Jim Marshall (GA-08), Republican Pete Sessions (TX-32), and Republican Doug Lamborn (CO-05).  Present at the press conference were Congressmen Franks, Marshall, Lamborn, Todd Akin (MO-02), Louis Gohmert (TX-01), and Stevan Pearce (NM-02).

 

At the press conference, Congressman Franks said, "Two things must be recognized since Ronald Reagan introduced the concept of missile defense. First, in a post 9-11 world terrorists have the will to devastate the United States and they are not deterred by the threat of overwhelming retaliation, which is the concept of Mutually Assured Destruction. Second, the great American minds in the scientific community have proven that this is no longer a mere theory; our systems work and all we need is the collective will to fund, develop, and operate this technology. Sixteen of the last 17 flight tests have been successful, there have been Aegis intercepts, THAAD intercepts, successful in-flight tests of the Airborne Laser Targeting System, and a successful intercept of a target with a long-range interceptor. These are incredible demonstrations of what the tenacity and ingenuity of our American scientific and military minds can create. 

 

"We do not know when or if our enemies will launch short or long-range missiles or perhaps even an electromagnetic pulse attack aimed at harming our friends, warfighters or those living in the continental United States. Accordingly, we must continue to modernize our systems, stay ahead of the threat, and develop a robust and layered missile defense that will be capable of interdicting missiles in their boost, midcourse, and terminal phases of flight."

 

Members who have committed to the Mission Statement are: Republicans Trent Franks (AZ-02) (Chair), Pete Sessions (TX-32) (Co-Chair), Doug Lamborn (CO-05) (Co-Chair), Duncan Hunter (CA-52), Peter King (NY-03), Eric Cantor (VA-07), Dana Rohbacher (CA-46), Kenny Marchant (TX-24), Thaddeas McCotter (MI-11), Mike Rogers (AL-03), Robin Hayes (NC-08), Zach Wamp (TN-03), Lee Terry (NE-02), Adam Putnam (FL-12), John Kline (MN-02), Marilyn Musgrave ( CO-04), Cathy McMorris Rogers (WA-05), Ray Lahood (IL-18), Stevan Pearce (NM-02), Todd Akin (MO-02), Wally Herger (CA-02), Roger Wicker (MS-01), Dave Weldon (FL-15), Louis Gohmert (TX-01), Tom Price (GA-06), Howard "Buck" McKeon (CA-25), Phil English (PA-03), Jim Jordan (OH-04), Rick Renzi (AZ-01), John Barrett (SC-03), Virginia Foxx (NC-05), Ric Keller (FL-08), John Culberson (TX-07), Roscoe Bartlett (MD-06), Randy Forbes (VA-04), and Democrats Jim Marshall (GA-08) (Co-Chair), Robert E. "Bud" Cramer (AL-05), and Henry Cuellar (TX-28).

 

Text of the House Mission Statement:  

 

While America prevailed in the Cold War, the principal military threat from this struggle unfortunately did not vanish along with the Soviet Union - ballistic missiles capable of delivering extraordinary damage to the United States.

As members of this Caucus, we:

1) Realize that rogue states and America's strategic military rivals continue to build faster, longer, and more sophisticated ballistic missiles capable of striking the United States;

2) Understand that a ballistic missile threat may also be posed by non-state terrorists;

3) Recognize that our enemies and rivals are exploring space-based technologies to gain a strategic military advantage over the United States;

4) Refuse to allow American foreign policy to be constrained by the ballistic missile capabilities of our enemies, and;

5) Remain committed to providing for the defense of the American people, our warfighters and our national interests by supporting a layered and robust missile defense that utilizes land, air, sea, and space.

 (Link) 

» More stories on: Policy

Low Altitude THAAD "Fly-out" Test Successful

The Missile Defense Agency reports that a successful test of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) defense system took place at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), New Mexico, on June 26.

While this particular THAAD test did not involve a target or intercept attempt, it was significant as the first made "fly-out" at relatively low altitude. The MDA press release notes that the flight took place in a "highly-stressing low-endosphere (inside the atmosphere) environment. This was the lowest altitude fly-out of a THAAD interceptor to date, and demonstrated its ability to operate in a high-dynamic pressure environment with aero heating effects," that is, increased heat and friction from the denser atmosphere. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Testing - American

» Missile system details for: Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)

Russia Begins Mass Production of Topol-M, Iskander-M

Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov announced June 26 that Russia has begun the mass production of the Topol-M strategic missile.  Ivanov spoke at a plant at Votkinsk in Udmurtia, some 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) east of Moscow.  "These are not prototypes but mass production," he said. 

 

"We are now moving on to a new and very important rearmament stage for both our nuclear strategic forces and tactical complexes...I am talking of stationary Topol-M missile complexes...also of mobile ones which can be fitted with different types of warheads, as well as Iskander-M missiles." The Topol-M is a three-stage intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) which can be deployed on both stationary and mobile launch platforms. The Iskander-M is a shorter range missile.  Russia plans to equip its armed forces with 69 Topol-M missiles and 60 Iskander-M missiles by 2015. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Russia

» Missile details: SS-26, SS-27

Aegis Intercept Test Successful; Spanish Frigate and THAAD Radar Part of Test

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) announced the ninth successful test in eleven attempts of its "hit to kill" interceptor for the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Program, the sea-based component of the Agency's
Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS).  At approximately 4:40 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time, the USS Decatur launched a Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) Block IA interceptor which successfully destroyed the target warhead more than 100 miles above the Pacific Ocean and 250 miles northwest of Kauai. 

 

An Aegis cruiser (USS Port Royal, CG 73), a Spanish frigate, Méndez Núñez (F-104), and the MDA's Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) mobile ground-based radar also participated in the flight test.  U.S.S. Port Royal used the flight test to support development of the new Aegis BMD SPY-1B radar signal processor, collecting performance data on its increased target detection and discrimination capabilities. Méndez Núñez, stationed off Kauai, detected and tracked the ballistic missile with a minor modification made to its Aegis Weapon System. The THAAD radar, based on the island of Kauai, also tracked the target and exchanged data with the Aegis BMD cruiser.  This was the first Aegis BMD test that used information from a land-based X-band radar: "The THAAD radar tracked them first. This particular case was to prove that THAAD can cue the Aegis system," said Joe Rappisi, Lockheed Martin director for Aegis ballistic missile defense.

 

The test was the third time the Aegis BMD system has demonstrated its target discrimination capabilities by intercepting a ballistic missile with a separating reentry vehicle.  Additionally, the test marked the first time an Aegis BMD equipped destroyer was used to launch the interceptor missile instead of a cruiser.  The participation of the Spanish frigate was also noteworthy, demonstrating the potential of cooperation with the system.  Aegis BMD technology is being installed on 18 U.S. ships, including cruisers and destroyers. (Article, Link) 

» Navy Times description of Aegis destroyer intercept

» More stories on: Testing - American, Allies

» Missile system details for: Aegis Ship-Based BMD, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)

Gates: U.S. to Proceed with Plans for European Site

While at a NATO meeting in Brussels on June 14, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates gave the U.S. response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's missile defense counter-proposal.  Under the Russian proposal, interceptors would instead be based in Turkey, Iraq or aboard Aegis vessels and would share a Russian-leased radar facility in Azerbaijan.

 

In his response, Gates stressed that while the Azeri radar facility could enhance the current U.S. plan, it would not replace the X-Band Radar facility proposed for the Czech Republic. "I was very explicit in the meeting that we saw the Azeri radar as an additional capability, that we intended to proceed with the radar, the X-band radar, in the Czech Republic," Gates said. The X-Band Radar is designed to detect specific objects in space and to assist the interceptors destroy an adversary's missile in mid-flight. The system in Azerbaijan is an early warning radar with a wider range, but with less precise tracking capability.

 

At the meeting of defense ministers, Gates also effectively secured NATO's implicit endorsement for the U.S. plan.  The group announced it would study how to incorporate shorter-range NATO missile defense systems with the new system to provide protection for Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey and parts of Romania-all areas that would not be covered by the U.S. plan.  "The NATO road map on missile defense is now clear," said Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, the NATO Secretary General. "It's practical, and it's agreed by all." In a surprising move, Gates also announced possible U.S. interest in placing additional missile defense systems in Ukraine. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Russia, European Missile Defenses

Azeris Concerned about Putin Radar Offer

Russian President Vladimir Putin's surprise offer during the G-8 meeting in Germany to share the Galaba radar station in Azerbaijan with the U.S. as part of a new ballistic missile defense also took Azeris by surprise, despite an endorsement from Azeri President Ilham Aliyev, that "This is a new element in [Azerbaijan's] strategic cooperation with the two countries." Azeri political leaders have criticized the legality of President Putin's offer and the wisdom of the plan itself.  "If Russia intends to allow it to be used by a third country, it must discuss the issue with Azerbaijan," said Ziyafat Askerov, vice-speaker of Azerbaijan's parliament.  Citing Article 4 of the Gabala radar station lease agreement, he said the station cannot be handed over to a third party without Azerbaijan's permission.  The effect of increased use of the facility could also have serious ecological effects.  "If the US is allowed to use the radar station, its capacities will be increased, which means the damage being done to the environment will grow too," said independent military expert Azad Isazade. "The clouds reflect radar waves onto densely-populated areas of the country nearby. Officially, they say the station is harmless but independent medical studies suggest the contrary."

 

The Galaba radar facility is 200 kilometers from the Azeri-Iranian border, and currently monitors much of Asia, including Iran, as well as much of Africa and islands in the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. The Russian government has a ten year lease on the facility. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Former Soviet Republics, Russia, Russian Missile Defenses

Schmitt on China's Military Power

Gary J. Schmitt writes for The Washington Post on China's increased military spending. The U.S. has a tendency to "complain that we don't know exactly how much China is spending on its military and what exactly it is acquiring.  Most important, we complain that we don't know the strategic 'why' behind this buildup."  While most scholars attribute China's ballooning military spending to political circumstance or the size of the U.S.'s budget, Schmitt argues that in fact:

 

[T]he Chinese military buildup really began after the demise of the Soviet Union—that is, precisely when China had the least reason to worry about its defense needs. And the buildup continued during a period when the United States was cutting its own defense budget by significant amounts. Moreover, no other Asian regional power was putting forward double-digit defense increases. To the contrary, Taiwan—presumably China's main military concern—was slashing its defense budget. And Japan, the only possible regional ‘great power' competitor to China, was suffering from a decade of economic stagnation, with a static defense budget to match.

 

Schmitt suggests that the Chinese believe a first-class army is critical for its global stature in its quest to become a world power. "The Chinese are a proud people and they want to be seen as a powerful, potentially dominant, state. And power, they understand, includes not only a strong economy but a powerful military. When the Chinese look at the world today, who gets in their way most of the time? It's certainly not the Europeans, who have economic strength but little hard power. It's the United States." (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: China, Analysis

Stakelbeck on a New Ballistic Missile Triad

Fredrick Stakelbeck writes for The Washington Times discussing the the emerging ballistic missile threat to the United States from Russia, China and Iran.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has assisted Iran with the development of its missile technology and nuclear program, has recently claimed he may freeze Russia's compliance with the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty and the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty. Russia recently tested a new RS-24 missile which is especially designed to penetrate missile defenses.

The recent Department of Defense report on China's military spending "catalogs in great detail the country's continued efforts to establish not only a defensive ballistic missile capability, but an offensive ‘first strike' capability as well. The expected deployment of additional mobile, land and sea-based ballistic nuclear missiles that can reach the U.S. mainland have raised serious questions in Washington about the county's regional and global intentions." While China has maintained a "no first strike" policy, "other sources suggest that they are possibly developing capabilities for a more flexible use of nuclear weapons that would call into question this declared policy."

Led by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran has developed with significant Chinese and Russian assistance, its Shahab-3 and Shahab-4 missiles, which can target Israel and Europe respectively. Iran also has continued its quest to acquire nuclear weapons despite diplomatic efforts to halt its program.

Stakelbeck concludes, "In the meantime, the United States and its allies should consider increasing funding dedicated to the research, development and testing of a more agile anti-missile defense umbrella.  By taking this important step, the combined offensive intercontinental ballistic missile capabilities of China, Russia and Iran, as well as rogue nations such as North Korea, will be made increasingly irrelevant." (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Analysis, China, Russia, Iran

National Review on Russian Intentions

An editorial by The National Review today examines the surprise Russian counter-proposal unveiled at the G-8 summit meeting in Germany.  Russia had denounced the U.S. plan to house ten Ground Based Interceptors in Poland and construct a X-band radar facility in the Czech Republic, suggesting that the U.S. instead base interceptors in Turkey, Iraq or on Aegis vessels and use a pre-existing Russian radar base in Azerbaijan. 

 

National Review suggests the U.S. approach such a proposal cautiously and verify Russia's intentions.  "If it is indeed a serious offer to enhance global security against the menace of ayatollahs who brandish nuclear weapons, then it could represent a geopolitical breakthrough. Yet if it is just another Russian attempt to undermine existing missile-defense plans, it deserves to be shot down quickly."  The editorial suggests that the Russian proposal may be problematic geographically.  Additionally, if Russia were actually committed to preventing a ballistic missile attack from Iran, then it should halt its assistance to the regime and work with the West to keep the Iranians from gaining a nuclear weapon at all.  However, if the offer to work with the U.S. is genuine, then it should be taken seriously.  "Russia’s determination to block the missile-defense sites in the Czech Republic and Poland always has seemed to have more to do with exerting influence over Eastern Europe than with anybody’s security interests. ...Verify Russia's intentions, and only then begin to trust." (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Russia, European Missile Defenses, Analysis

Lewis on the Neglected Capabilities of Aegis

Jeffrey Lewis writes for the ArmsControlWonk.com blog, concerning the curious lack of attention to the robust capabilities of the sea-based missile defense, as compared to the Ground-Based midcourse interceptors currently in contention for Eastern Europe.

 

At a recent budget hearing of the Atlantic Council, MDA Director General Obering was asked by Representative Ellen Tauscher of the House Strategic Forces subcommittee, whether a mobile Aegis SM-3 might be part of a viable alternative to the European site of ten ground based interceptors.  Obering responded with a relative rejection of mobile sea-based missile defenses for Europe in favor of ground based systems.  General Obering cited two main sources for his skepticism of mobile defenses.

 

First, the current configurations of Aegis BMD and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense do not have the ability to counter intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) without extensive and costly modifications. Likewise, mobile system sensors for Aegis BMD and THAAD cannot provide equivalent radar coverage of Europe... Second, the protection of Europe with mobile systems such as Aegis BMD and THAAD would come at a cost that is more than five times greater to field and sustain when compared to the fixed BMD site plan.

 

The General concluded, "I believe our current proposed architecture will provide the best, most cost effective protection for our European allies, and it can be deployed beginning in 2011."

 

Lewis criticizes General Obering's assessment, noting "the 21 version-which the United States is already cooperatively developing with Japan," which according to past documentation "is supposed to have 40-60 percent better burnout velocity, between 4.5-5.0 m/s. Such an interceptor-supplemented with the appropriate terminal defenses-ought to be able to defend most of Europe with much fewer than ten ships."  Additionally, Lewis points out, Obering assumed all Aegis vessels must be on alert 24 hours a day instead of being deployed in an emergency. Thus, "Reducing the number of ships required by an order of magnitude from forty to four would make the mobile option much, much more attractive."

 

Given that the sea-based Aegis system has proven itself to be the most reliable of missile defense systems tested to date, Lewis' observations are well worth noting for those interested in a more robust missile defense system. (More »»») 

» More stories on: Analysis

» Missile system details for: Aegis Ship-Based BMD

Western European Union Takes Stand for BMD

The Assembly of the Western European Union, meeting in Paris last week, called for "the development of an ‘anti-missile concept.'"  While the system should be driven by European interests, the system should be inter-operable with the U.S. missile defense in the general NATO framework and involve opportunities for Russian cooperation.  While concerns of sparking a new arms race weighed on the assembly, the imperative to defend against the emerging threat of rogue states acquiring and using ballistic missile technology. The assembly concluded that Europe should also adopt a common position on non-proliferation, export control regimes and missile defense technology. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: European Missile Defenses, Allies

Putin "Not Joking" on Missiles, Cautions Ukrainian President

On June 12, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko said that Russian President Vladimir Putin's threat to retarget nuclear missiles at Europe was credible if the U.S. proceeded to base Ground Based Interceptors in Poland and an X-band radar facility in the Czech Republic.  Russia has opposed the plan, which it claims blunts its strategic nuclear deterrent.  The U.S. has stressed the system is meant to protect the U.S. and Europe from a possible missile attack from the Middle East. Recently, however, Putin offered a surprise compromise proposal at the G-8 summit in Germany which would involve stationing the interceptors in Turkey or Iraq and utilize an existing radar base in Azerbaijan with the Russians.

 

While NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer welcomed the proposal, he doubted the Azeri radar's ability to meet U.S. requirements.  Commenting upon the Russian threat, Yushchenko said, "It's becoming more and more apparent that the best response to all the challenges regarding defense and security policy can only be given through a collective system of defense...And a key aspect is to provide Ukraine's accession to the European Union and the North Atlantic bloc."  He criticized Russia's meddling in Ukraine's domestic affairs and reiterated "It is (we) who determine our domestic and foreign policies." (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Former Soviet Republics, Russia

New RS-24 Missiles to Replace Older Russian Systems

At a press conference, Commander Colonel-General Nikolai Solovtsov confirmed that Russia's new RS-24 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) will replace older missiles as they are retired over the coming years, Interfax-AVN reported on June 12.  Specifically, the RS-24s will replace the RS-18s (SS-19, Stiletto) and the RS-20s (SS-18, Satan), which carry six and ten warheads respectively. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Russia

» Missile details: SS-18 Mod 3, SS-18 Mod 4, SS-19 Mod 2

S-400 Moscow Deployment Postponed

The S-400 air and missile defense systems (SA-21 Growler) slated to be installed by July 1 will be postponed until later this summer, Colonel-General Alexander Zelin of Russia's Air Force said Tuesday in Moscow.  The S-400 Triumf is an upgrade of the S-300 class (NATO codename SA-10 Grumble), and is capable of destroying stealth aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles. Eventually all of the S-300 complexes will be replaced with the newer model. 

 

The first S-400s were to be deployed in Electrostal-town of Moscow Region on July 1, 2007. The intention is to annually have one or two new regiments equipped with S-400s so that the latter would soon replace S-300 systems in all air defense units protecting Moscow and central Russia. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Russia

» Missile system details for: S-300P (SA-10 Grumble), S-400 (SA-20 Triumf)

Friedman on Russia Using Missile Defense as a Geopolitical Lever

George Friedman of Stratfor analyzes Russia's past hostility to ballistic missile defense and the nature of Russian hostility to the current American plan to construct such a system in the Czech Republic and Poland. Friedman characterizes both the Russian opposition to the plan and its counter-proposal as carefully constructed steps to strain Washington-Warsaw relations and regain influence in Central Europe and the Former Soviet Union.

 

Historically, Russia has opposed BMD because it would destroy the concept of mutually assured destruction. Since the USSR lacked the economic and technological ability to match the U.S. if it built such a system, Soviet policy makers aggressively combated and killed Reagan's "Star Wars" plan. However, the nature of the opposition has changed. The current U.S. plan uses ten interceptors, hardly enough to diminish Russia's tremendous nuclear deterrent.

 

Russia has long resented NATO's eastward expansion into its former sphere of influence, but could do little to resist the trend while recovering from the fall of the USSR. "The Russians believed they had an understanding with NATO and the United States, dating back to the fall of the Soviet Union, that NATO would not be extended into Central Europe—and certainly never into the FSU." As its economy has improved, Russia is increasingly verbalizing that grudge, and pushing against that trend. Russia opposes the current missile defense plan not because of historical reasons, explains Friedman, but specifically because of missile defense:

 

[A]s a symbol of a Polish-U.S. alliance that transcends NATO, it is absolutely vital. The Poles wanted the missiles in their country to symbolize the link, and the Americans wanted them there for the same reason. As long as that link exists, the Poles feel secure, and as long as the Poles feel secure, they will be a thorn in the side of the Russians. The Russian goal of exerting a sphere of influence in the FSU has a broader component. Russia does not expect to regain influence in most of Central Europe— Serbia possibly excepted. It does want the Central Europeans to be sufficiently wary of the Russians as to exercise caution.

 

Such an alliance would embolden Warsaw and Washington to furthur engage in pro-Western agitation, especially in Ukraine. "Of all of the former European satellites, Poland has been the most openly anti-Russian and the most active in supporting forces in the FSU that also are resisting Russian resurgence."

 

 

After feigning outrage over the U.S. plan for months, Russia abruptly changed face and issued a counter-proposal at the G-8 meeting that would place the U.S.'s missiles in Iraq or Turkey and use a pre-existing Russian radar facility in Azerbaijan instead. The proposal masterfully portrays Russia as cooperative and flexible, while leaving the U.S. in a difficult position. Despite the fact that the radar facility is far too close to Iran and the Middle East to prove as efficient as the current plan, "by rejecting the proposal, Washington would look hostile and uncompromising. Accepting it would mean basing the missiles near the Iranian border, possibly too close to intercept long-range missiles fired from there. Using Russian radar—which currently is insufficient for U.S. needs—would make the entire system dependent on Russian cooperation. And pulling the system from Poland would be a signal to Central Europe that military agreements with the United States are subject to negotiation with the Russians. That, of course, is exactly the signal Putin wants sent." Friedman concludes, "The Russians now have very little to lose and quite a bit to gain from confrontation." (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Russia, Analysis, European Missile Defenses

Franks Responds to Russia's Proposal to Use Alternative Radar in Azerbaijan

Congressman Trent Franks issued a press release commenting upon Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal that the U.S. and Russia cooperate on missile defense issues by using an existing radar facility in Azerbaijan and place interceptors in Turkey or Iraq.  Putin's proposal came during a meeting with President Bush to discuss American efforts aimed at placing ten Ground Based Interceptors in Poland and an X-band radar in the Czech Republic.  Franks observed:

 

President Putin acknowledged that America and Russia have a shared interest in defending against an Iranian ballistic missile threat. The United States and Russia should cooperate in building an effective defense against our mutual enemies, and this admission is a significant step; however, the United States must remain committed to placing the interceptor site at a location that optimizes security for the United States and our allies. If this location is with our allies in Poland and the Czech Republic, and Poland and the Czech Republic want them, then this is where they must be placed.

 

Assuming that Putin's proposal was genuine in expressing a willingness to cooperate, an additional factor is whether the less powerful and less precise Azeri radar would be as capable as a modern, X-band, radar such as was proposed for the Czech Republic. (Article, Link) 

Bush Thanks Poland for Missile Defense Support

On June 8 in Gdansk, Poland, President George Bush praised Poland's support for hosting elements of a missile defense system that would protect Europe and the United States against a ballistic missile attack from the Middle East. "I appreciate the support of the deployment of the missile defense interceptors here in Poland." President Bush also addressed the concerns of several European countries which feared that they would not be covered by the proposed shield. "We will negotiate a fair agreement that enhances the security of Poland, and the security of the entire continent against rogue regimes that might be willing to try to blackmail free nations." Both Polish President Lech Kaczynski and President Bush reiterated the defensive nature of the system. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Russia, Allies

Coyle on the European Missile Shield

The Tehran Times carries Philip Coyle's response to a surprise proposal concerning European missile defense by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G-8 summit in Germany.  Philip Coyle is a Senior Advisor to the Center for Defense Information and a former assistant secretary of defense.

 

Russia's compromise to the U.S. plan to base an X-band radar facility in the Czech Republic was to use a pre-existing radar facility in Azerbaijan.  Coyle argues the Azeri site would be advantageous:

 

At that location, the proposed missile defenses can 'defend' all of Europe, including South Eastern Europe. The Poland/Czech Republic arrangement cannot 'cover' all of Europe. Also a radar at the Azerbaijan site cannot 'see' Russian missile launches going over the pole towards America, which means that it cannot be used to defend America from Russia.

 

Coyle concludes that "if Russia is not an enemy, as President Bush says, he should be willing to seriously consider this proposal. Ever since President Reagan, the U.S. has been saying it wants to cooperate with Russia on missile defense and then it doesn't happen. Maybe this time it will." (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Analysis, Russia, European Missile Defenses

Bush and Putin Set to Meet at G-8

President George W. Bush planned to discuss US plans to build a missile defense system in Eastern Europe with Russian President Vladimir Putin while in Heiligendamm, Germany, for the G-8 summit. The proposed American system would involve ten Ground Based Interceptors in Poland and a radar facility in the Czech Republic, is designed to defend against a limited missile attack from countries in the Middle East, such as Iran.

 

A number of Russian officials, including Putin, have expressed serious concerns that the system could serve to negate its offensive nuclear arsenal, resents the placement of the facilities in its former sphere of influence.  Putin has also threatened that any such deployment could result in Russian retargeting of its missiles toward Europe.  President Bush has reiterated that the ten interceptors pose no threat to Russia's broad strategic forces, and said he hoped to convince Putin that the proposed U.S. missile interceptors is not an issue "to be hyperventilating about." (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Russia, Allies

Russia Not Planning Withdrawal from Arms Treaty

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on June 6 that the “question will not be raised” as to whether Russia will withdraw from the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) treaty at an emergency meeting later this month.  Russian President Putin had previously called for a freeze of Russia’s compliance with the treaty, and suggesting that Russia could withdraw.  NATO and Russia have disputed the treaty's provisions since 1999.  NATO says Russia has not honored its commitments to withdraw forces from Moldova and Georgia, while Russia accuses the U.S. of proposing to militarize Eastern Europe with new missile facilities and bases in Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania and Bulgaria. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Russia, Former Soviet Republics, Allies

Poland: U.S. Missile Shield Must Protect All NATO Members

Polish President Lech Kaczynski said today that any missile defense system in Europe should be able to defend all 26 members of NATO.  The current U.S. plan, which would house ten missile interceptors in Poland, would not cover parts of Romania and NATO members Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria. President Kaczynski has been generally supportive of the U.S. plan, and today said his country would soon announce whether it would house the missiles. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: European Missile Defenses

Pentagon Plans Three Missile Interceptor Tests This Summer

The Missile Defense Agency plans to conduct three test launches of ballistic missile interceptors this, according to MDA spokesman Rick Lehner in an interview, reports the Russian newspaper RIA Novosti.  The agency will test an Aegis sea-based interceptor in late June or mid-July, a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor in July, and a Ground Based Interceptor in late August or September.  A planned test of the Ground Based Interceptor was aborted in May due to a failure in the missile which would have been targeted. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Testing - American

» Missile system details for: Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)

Analysts Defend Putin's Objections

A news report by the AFP cites two international security analysts defending the skeptical Russian response to American proposals for missile defenses in Eastern Europe.  Retired Russian General Gennady Evstafiev said that the plan could well be viewed as the first step toward a future U.S. defense posture which could be threatening to Russia.  "The Americans say `well, it's just these 10 little rockets.' But this is not the issue—of course these things are not a threat to us," Evstafiev said. "The real issue is that no one knows what comes next. What do the Americans plan to do after that?"  Evstafiev also claims that the planned U.S. radar facility in the Czech Republic would be powerful enough to "survey Russian territory as far east as the Urals," including missile tests on Russian territory.  Pavel Podvig, an international security expert at Stanford University concludes that "Missile defense locks us in confrontational mentality, imposing Cold War schemes on the US-Russian relationship...This is what Rice should have termed 'purely ludicrous.'" (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Russia

Gorbachev to U.S.: "Let's Not Repeat Cold War"

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev (1985-1991) spoke from Moscow that a U.S. plan to install missile interceptors and a radar facility in Eastern Europe could reignite old Cold War feuds.  "We are being drawn into another arms race," he said.  Gorbachev believed the Bush administration once again believed militarization to be the answer, when that philosophy should have been discredited by U.S. foreign policy faliures.  Gorbachev also discussed Russian democratization and the need to prevent Iran from getting a bomb. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Russia, European Missile Defenses

Pentagon Warns Lockheed Cruise Missile Program

The U.S. Defense Department today said it would hold Lockheed Martin liable for some of the improvements needed to salvage a $5.8 billion cruise missile program. The Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) has been unreliable, with only 58 percent accuracy in test firings and has already topped its original per-unit cost by more than 50 percent.  The Department is also weighing the possibility of scraping the missile altogether and ordering instead Raytheon's Tomahawk missiles and Boeing's Standoff Land Attack Missile-Expanded Response (SLAM-ER). (Article, Link) 

Russia Plans "Totally Effective" Response to U.S. Missile Plan

A Kremlin spokesman said Russia plans a "totally effective" response to the deployment of any U.S. missile defense systems in Europe.  Russia would take such actions, despite the fact that such deployments would pose little threat to the Russian nuclear arsenal, in order to further ensure its security.  President Putin said earlier this week that retargeting Russia's missiles at European cities could be a component of his country's response.  "Retargeting" of missiles is however largely a symbolic gesture, as missiles' targets can be switched easily. (Article, Link) 

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Bulgaria to Ask Bush about Proposed U.S. Anti-Missile Defense System

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ivaylo Kalfin said his country would discuss its concerns over the U.S. plan to build a missile defense system in Eastern Europe when U.S. President George W. Bush visits Sofia next week.  Specifically, the Bulgarian president has indicated an interest in being included in any such NATO defense.  The area defended by the system currently envisioned would not cover Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece, and parts of Romania. Bulgaria has criticized the plan saying it would leave these NATO members "between the missile shield and a growing tension in Russia." (Article, Link) 

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Chavez Welcomes Putin's Stance on U.S. Defenses for Europe

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez praised Russian President Vladimir Putin's opposition to the U.S. plan to construct a missile defense system in Europe, reports the Russian news agency Itar-Tass. President Chavez, whose country purchases large quantities of military equipment from Russia, decried the plan as an attempt to "encircle Russia and to challenge China and Iran or, generally, anyone opposing the imperialist designs of ultra-right circles in the U.S." (Article, Link) 

Financial Times: Russia Has Lost All Sense of Proportion over Missile Defense

An editorial in The Financial Times criticizes Russian President Vladimir Putin for his bellicose rhetoric concerning the U.S. plan to house components of a limited missile defense system in Eastern Europe.  In response, President Putin has threatened to withdraw from two major arms control treaties, ushering in a new freeze in U.S.-Russian relations.  The Financial Times concludes:

 

The US could take more steps to defuse the dispute, not least discussing whether it could cap the number of interceptors at the Polish site. But the main responsibility rests with Mr Putin. Everything he has done so far this year has been to make missile defence a zero sum game from which only one side can emerge the winner. That is not the approach of a statesman. It is time for Mr Putin to overcome his country's resentment of the west and demonstrate that his Russia is a partner, not an old, aggrieved foe.

 (Article, Link) 

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