MOSCOW, November 24 (Itar-Tass) —— Russia can deploy Iskander missiles in the Kaliningrad region within 6-12 months, a lawmaker said.
Medvedev said in a televised address on November 23 that Russia would take strong measures, such as enhancement of its strategic capabilities and deployment of attack systems, in response to further implementation of U.S. plans to create missile defence in Europe.
He said Russia would reserve the right to give up further disarmament and arms control measures and might withdraw from the START Treaty.
Medvedev stressed that if other measures prove insufficient, Russia would deploy modern attack systems in the west and south of the country which will be able to destroy the U.S. missile defence elements in Europe. He mentioned in particular Iskander systems in the Kaliningrad region.
“I think we can deploy our positions within six months or a year,” Mikhail Nenashev of United Russia, who is a member of the State Duma Defence Committee, told Itar-Tass.
When asked how fast Russia can equip its land- and sea-based strategic ballistic missiles with new highly-effective warheads capable to piercing missile defence, Nenashev admitted that “the situation is more complex because both the Bulava and some other projects have been implemented slowly”.
“This will take much more time,” he said, adding that “different timelines have been named from 2 to 5 years”.
“If the political and economic will is focused, this can be done faster within 2-3 years,” the MP said.