RVSN development plan envisages use of means of overcoming any missile defense system - commander
MOSCOW. Dec 16 (Interfax-AVN) - The Russian Strategic Missile Forces (RVSN) and strategic nuclear forces development plans will continue, in regards to the implementation of the U.S. missile defense policy European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA), Colonel-General Sergei Karakayev, commander of RVSN, said.
"The long-term RVSN and strategic nuclear forces development plans have already been adjusted with regard for the predicted rates and scales of the consistent development of the information and attack means of this system," Karakayev told reporters on Wednesday.
"The implementation of our plans envisages the use of totally new, effective means and methods for overcoming any missile defense system. In accordance with the Strategic Nuclear Forces development plans approved by the Russian political leadership, RVSN will develop, modernizing its weapons as much as possible with regards to the START Treaty," Karakayev said.
"The creation of RVSN intercontinental ballistic missiles of the next generation with qualitatively new characteristics, and their equipment with systems for overcoming new generation missile and air defense systems, will also help neutralize new potential threats with a guarantee," he said.
Karakayev also said, citing experts' estimations, that "the missile defense system that has now been deployed due to its information and firing capabilities, is incapable of countering massive use of the RVSN group."
At the same time, the RVSN commander noted the vastness of the concept of the U.S. missile shield in Europe and worldwide.
"In analyzing the concept implementation plan before 2020, I can say that, in terms of scale and military-strategic consequences, it surpasses all previous projects," he said.
"To date, the U.S. has already deployed sea-launched missile defense systems, which form the backbone of the future global missile shield, in many regions of the world, and created a network of intelligence tools, specialized stations and control systems, organizational and technical measures are underway to link them into one system," the RVSN commander said.
"The U.S. estimates that integrating tools, that vary in purpose and characteristics, into a new missile defense system will allow for the organization of a multi-echelon protection system that can engage space and aerial targets at any point of the flight trajectory," Karakayev said.
"At issue are, primarily, the RVSN's missiles and warhead," he said. "To that end, we are planning to incorporate into our prospective missile defense weapons, laser and kinetic weapon systems, anti-missile systems, as well as interception systems based on the ground, at sea, and in air and in space," the commander said.