Shamanov recommends that NATO check its hardware to solve GPS problem
MOSCOW. Nov 14 (Interfax) - The organizers of NATO's Exercise Trident Juncture should check their hardware to determine the cause of GPS problems instead of blaming Russia, Chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee Vladimir Shamanov told Interfax.
"It has become a cliche to blame the Russians for any failure or problem experienced by NATO. We have nothing to do with those malfunctions," Shamanov said on Wednesday in response to a relevant question.
The drill organizers "should look at their technical gear to find out what malfunctioned," he said.
"There is a rule not to do such things during major exercises, because the consequences could be severe. We have always acted with a high degree of responsibility and have never done such disgraceful things," Shamanov said.
"Actually, this was an irresponsible statement made by the organizers of the large-scale drill," he said.
"Apart from sending a drill notice, decent people also organize close interaction," Shamanov said. "No one kept them from doing so. But if they are specialists with low skills, such arguments come up," he said.
According to the Associated Press, the Norwegian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that Russia was behind the GPS malfunction during the NATO drill.