Russia could aim rockets at European missile shield - Putin

[December]

14/ 02/ 2008

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MOSCOW, February 14 (RIA Novosti) - Russia may have to retarget some of its rockets at the missile defenses that the U.S. is planning to deploy in Central Europe, President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.

"Our experts believe the system threatens our national security," Putin said at his final annual news conference in the Kremlin echoing comments he made on Tuesday. "If it appears, we will be forced to respond appropriately - we will have to retarget part of our systems against those missiles."
He also said Russia could be forced to redirect its missiles at Ukraine if NATO bases are deployed in the country.

"We will be compelled to aim our missiles at facilities that we consider a threat to our national security, and I am putting this plainly now so that the blame for this is not shifted later," Putin said.
However, he stressed that Russia did not intend to "retarget anything at anyone without extreme necessity."

An official from NATO's headquarters in Brussels said on terms of anonymity that NATO is deeply concerned by Putin's statement and is unhappy with the 'language' used which is unacceptable in the [Russia-NATO] relationship.

NATO Spokesman James Appathurai said in turn that a decision on the expansion of the alliance is made solely by members of the organization, adding that NATO expansion is favorable for stability and security in Europe.

READ MORE - http://en.rian.ru/world/20080214/99238596.html



During the President's annual press conference for the Russian and foreign media in the Kremlin. February 14, 2008

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http://kremlin.ru/eng/sdocs/news.shtml?month=02&day=14&year=2008


Russian Missile Systems
Video - http://youtube.com/watch?v=Cna3xz-TcjM

[Tharagor]

I think Putin is wise to consider retargeting systems since the missiles the U.S. missile plans serve no defensive purpose.

[apdst]

the missiles the U.S. missile plans serve no defensive purpose.

Those are conventional tipped Patriot missiles. They are a completely defensive weapon. You comment is in error.

[December]

Those are conventional tipped Patriot missiles.


What do you mean by those are conventional tipped Patriot missiles?

[December]

Russia to deploy 11 new Topol-M ICBMs in 2008

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20:33 | 27/ 02/ 2008
MOSCOW, February 27 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's Strategic Missile Forces (SMF) will deploy 11 new silo and mobile-launched Topol-M intercontinental ballistic missiles in 2008, the SMF commander said on Wednesday.

Gen. Nikolai Solovtsov said the weapons would be deployed in the European part of Russia adding, "the SMF will receive 11 up-to-date Topol-M ICBMs in two versions [silo and mobile-launched]."
The missile (NATO reporting name SS-27), with a range of about 7,000 miles (11,000 kms), is said to be immune to any current and future U.S. ABM defense. It is capable of making evasive maneuvers to avoid a kill using terminal phase interceptors, and carries targeting countermeasures and decoys.

It is also shielded against radiation, electromagnetic pulse, nuclear blasts, and is designed to survive a hit from any form of laser technology.
Gen. Solovtsov earlier said that Topol-M systems would be equipped with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRV) in the next two or three years.

Russia, which now operates around 50 Topol-Ms, resumed strategic bomber patrol flights over the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic oceans last August, following an order signed by President Putin.
In a speech on February 8, Putin blamed the West for unleashing a new international arms race.
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20080227/100186983.html


President Putin inspects Topol-M mobile ICBMs

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[Questerr]

Those are conventional tipped Patriot missiles.


What do you mean by those are conventional tipped Patriot missiles?


They are Patriot air defense missiles with non-nuclear, ie conventional, warheads.

I think the missiles going into eastern europe may actually be THAAD's but they are practically the same thing.