U.S. adopts four-phase plan for missile shield in Europe
WASHINGTON. September 18. KAZINFORM The United States has not fully abandoned plans to deploy elements of its global missile defense in Europe but rather adopted "a phased, adaptive approach" to their placement until 2020, the White House has said; Kazinform cites RIA Novosti.
"This approach is based on an assessment of the Iranian missile threat, and a commitment to deploy technology that is proven, cost-effective, and adaptable to an evolving security environment," the White House said in a Fact Sheet on U.S. Missile Defense Policy released late on Thursday.
The Bush administration sought to deploy an omni-directional radar in the Czech Republic and interceptor missiles in Poland as defense against potential strikes from Iran. Russia has consistently opposed the plans as a threat to its security and the strategic balance of forces in Europe.
The new plan, approved by President Barack Obama, "provides for the defense of U.S. deployed forces, their families, and our Allies in Europe sooner and more comprehensively than the previous program, and involves more flexible and survivable systems," the document said.
Two major developments led to the revision of the U.S. missile defense strategy in Europe: the increasing threat from Iran's short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, rather than intercontinental ballistic missiles, and the significant advances in the U.S. missile defense capabilities in recent years.
"Accordingly, the Department of Defense has developed a four-phased, adaptive approach for missile defense in Europe," the White House said; Kazinform refers to RIA Novosti.
Source: www.en.rian.ru