The Obama administration is abandoning a key part of its European missile defense plan – an interceptor strongly opposed by Russia – blaming development problems and a lack of money.
The axing of the interceptors, which were to be deployed in Poland and possibly Romania early next decade, offers a potential opening for new arms control talks.
Russian officials suspect the interceptors were a counter to their missiles and had indicated that they would not consider further arms cuts unless their concerns were resolved.
US secretary of defence Chuck Hagel announced the cancellation as part of an overall restructuring of the defence plans aimed at stopping missiles from North Korea and Iran.
He made no reference to Russia’s objections to the European plans and said other parts of the missile defence plans in Europe would move forward and America’s commitment to missile defense in Europe “remains ironclad”.
The restructuring includes spending $1 billion to add 14 interceptors to the 26 that are in silos in Alaska.
Read more: US drops key part of European defencse plan - International - Scotsman.com
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