Global Security Newswire
Daily News on Nuclear, Biological & Chemical Weapons, Terrorism and Related Issues
Russia to Launch Ballistic Missiles During Exercise
Russia intends to launch Iskander ballistic missiles as part of armed forces maneuvers scheduled for September, RIA Novosti reported on Tuesday (see GSN, July 23).
“Some elements of high-accuracy weapons operated by the ground forces will be involved, including Iskander missile complexes," according to Col. Gen. Alexander Postnikov, deputy chief of the Russian military General Staff.
The Kavkaz-2012 drills from Sept. 17-23 are set to include roughly 8,000 Russian military personnel and launches of cruise missiles from water and air platforms.
Russia has threatened to deploy short-range Iskander missiles in territory near NATO states Poland and Lithuania, as a response to the developing U.S.-NATO antimissile shield. Moscow says it suspects the Europe-based system could undermine its long-range nuclear deterrent, while Brussels and Washington say it is intended to defend against a potential Iranian ballistic missile threat (see GSN, July 30; RIA Novosti, Aug. 7).
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Russia
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