U.S. activates Romanian missile defense site, angering Russia
- 8 years ago
The U.S. turned on an $800 million missile shield in Romania Thursday that it sees as vital to defend itself and Europe from “roguestates” but the Kremlin says is aimed at weakening its own nuclear arsenal.
Senior U.S. andNATO officials declared the ballistic missile defense siteoperational, which is capable of shooting down rockets from countries such as Iran thatWashington says could one day reach major European cities.
“As long as Iran continues to develop and deploy ballistic missiles, theU.S. will work with its allies to defend NATO,” said U.S. Deputy Defense SecretaryRobert Work.
Despite Washington’s plans to continue developing the capabilities of its system, Work said the shield would not be used against any future Russian missile threat.
Senior U.S. andNATO officials declared the ballistic missile defense siteoperational, which is capable of shooting down rockets from countries such as Iran thatWashington says could one day reach major European cities.
“As long as Iran continues to develop and deploy ballistic missiles, theU.S. will work with its allies to defend NATO,” said U.S. Deputy Defense SecretaryRobert Work.
Despite Washington’s plans to continue developing the capabilities of its system, Work said the shield would not be used against any future Russian missile threat.