Russia activates early warning radar system

Russia took its first retaliatory step in response to America's missile defence shield build-up on Tuesday by activating an early warning radar system in a Russian enclave bordering the European Union.


President Dmitry Medvedev announced the inauguration of a radar station in Kaliningrad that would track incoming missiles Photo: EPA/ANATOLY MALTSEV

By Damien McElroy, Foreign Affairs Correspondent
1:54PM GMT 29 Nov 2011

President Dmitry Medvedev announced the inauguration of a radar station in Kaliningrad that would track incoming missiles.

The Kremlin has taken a belligerent approach to American plans to defend against the growing Iranian missile threat by demanding that Russia is included as a full partner or it will go on its own.

Mr Medvedev heralded a four-stage response to the American plans in a speech last week. By taking the first step so quickly the Kremlin is demonstrating its determination not to be outflanked by America.

Further measures include strengthening defences around Russia's strategic missile stockpiles, upgrading its missiles to penetrate the missile shield and deployment of anti-missile batteries on the borders of America's European allies.

Russia fears that the American system will eventually neutralise its own short-range and intercontinental nuclear missiles.

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Washington has described Russia's offer of radar installations on its territory as "interesting" but is unwilling to share command of the system with its Cold War foe.

The Kremlin plans to dispatch Dmitry Rogozin, the Russian ambassador, to China and Iran – both pose potential threats to the US defence shield – to discuss Moscow's knowledge of American plans in January.

A statement in Mr Medvedev's name said Kaliningrad's Voronezh-DM station was moving onto immediate combat readiness.

"I expect that this step will be seen by our partners as the first signal of the readiness of our country to make an adequate response to the threats which the (Western) missile shield poses for our strategic nuclear forces," it said.

Using rhetoric reminiscent of the Cold War, he added: "If this signal is not heard, we will deploy other methods of protection including the taking of tough countermeasures and the deployment of strike forces."

Russia needed to hear more than promises from the West to resolve the standoff.

"Verbal statements do not guarantee our interests. If other steps are made then of course we are ready to listen," it added. "We can no longer be content with verbal promises that the (US missile shield) system is not aimed against Russia. These are empty statements and do not guarantee our security."

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