NATO Takes Over US-built missile shield, amid Russian Suspicion
- 8 years ago
NATO took command of a U.S.-built missile shield in Europe on Friday after France won assurances that the multi-billion-dollar system would not be under Washington's direct control.
The missile shield, billed as a defense against any strike by a "rogue state" against European cities, is one of the most sensitive aspects of U.S. military support for Europe.
Russia says the system is in fact intended by Washington to blunt its nuclear arsenal, which the U.S. denies.
"Today we have decided to declare initial operational capability of the NATO ballistic missile defence system," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told a news conference.
The missile shield, billed as a defense against any strike by a "rogue state" against European cities, is one of the most sensitive aspects of U.S. military support for Europe.
Russia says the system is in fact intended by Washington to blunt its nuclear arsenal, which the U.S. denies.
"Today we have decided to declare initial operational capability of the NATO ballistic missile defence system," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told a news conference.