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RF to equip missiles in RVSN, Navy with MD penetration systems – Medvedev

Russia will equip missiles in the Strategic Rocket Forces and the Navy with missile defence penetration systems

GORKI, November 23 (Itar-Tass) — Russia will equip missiles in the Strategic Rocket Forces and the Navy with missile defence penetration systems, President Dmitry Medvedev said on Wednesday.

Due to the U.S. plans to continue the missile defence construction in Europe, strategic ballistic missiles, which become operational in the Strategic Rocket Forces and the Navy, will be equipped with missile defence penetration systems and new high-efficiency units, the Russian leader stressed.

Medvedev has called for ensuring protection of strategic nuclear forces within creating an aerospace defence system.

President Medvedev said the U.S. had launched its missile defence programme in Europe. Thus, the Russian leader gave instructions to ensure protection of the strategic nuclear forces within creating an aerospace defence system.

In his address to Russian citizens, Medvedev said he wanted to report on Russia’s return measures to creating missile defence in Europe.

President Medvedev said: “First. On my instruction the Russian Defence Ministry will immediately put into operation a radar station in the Kaliningrad region to prevent missile attacks.

“Second. Within creating Russia’s aerospace defence system we will ensure protection of strategic nuclear forces.

“Third. Russia will equip missiles in the Strategic Rocket Forces and the Navy with missile defence penetration systems. Due to the U.S. plans to continue the missile defence construction in Europe, strategic ballistic missiles, which become operational in the Strategic Rocket Forces and the Navy, will be equipped with missile defence penetration systems and new high-efficiency units.

“Fourth. The Armed Forces will be set the task to work out measures to destroy information and management missile defence systems,” Medvedev said.

“These measures are adequate, effective and need minor costs,” the president said. If other measures are insufficient, the Russian Federation will deploy contemporary strike systems [for example, the Iskander systems] in the west and south in order to prevent fire damage from U.S. missile defence deployed in Europe,” Medvedev said.

“The deployment of the Iskander missile system in the Kaliningrad region will be one of such steps in this aspect,” the Russian leader stressed.

“If it necessary we will take other measures to counter European missile defence,” Medvedev pointed out.