[Peace-discuss] Fake left, drive right?

[C. G. Estabrook]

	September 24 2009
	Obama's New Missile Defense Plans Much
	Bigger Than Bush's Primitive Program
	By Vladimir Anokhin
	Pravda

It just so happens that the new concept of missile defense system in Europe is 
not a concession to Russia at all. The new system, which Robert Gates described, 
can be a lot more dangerous than what George W. Bush was intended to make.

Let’s take a closer look at the new plans of the US administration. At least two 
or three cruisers and destroyers with SM-3 missiles on board will be patrolling 
the European waters of the North and the Mediterranean Seas from 2011.

The vessels will provide the missile shield for Europe for the period until the 
USA and its allies finish the deployment of the ground-based missile defense 
system (SM-3 missile launching systems) on the continent.

One vessel equipped with the Aegis system is capable of taking up to 100 SM-3 
missiles on board. A Ticonderoga class cruiser of the US Navy has 122 containers 
with missiles installed in the vertical launching systems. The Arleigh Burke 
destroyers may have 90 and 96 containers. Eighteen of 80 vessels (equipped with 
the Aegis system) of the US navy are currently fit to fulfill the missile 
defense tasks. Sixteen of those vessels are based on the Pacific regions.

The Aegis system is a state-of-the-art integrated naval weapons system. 
Ticonderoga cruisers and Burke destroyers are capable of detecting, tracking and 
destroying hundreds of air, ground and surface targets with the help of this system.

The SM-3 missile (Standard Missile-3) is a ship-based anti-ballistic missile 
used by the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System. The 500-km range missile is 
6.55m long and 0.34m in diameter.

The US initiative also contains a geographical constituent. Albania, a Balkan 
state, or Turkey are already being evaluated as possible locations for the 
ground-based elements of the missile defense system.

Turkey is an influential regional state. Therefore, building the system in 
Turkey would mean great success for the White House. Turkey, just like the 
Balkans, is situated very close to Russia.

George W. Bush was outspoken in his intentions. His policies evoked irritation 
and rejection. Obama’s administration is more diplomatic. However, Russia should 
not underestimate the danger that might be hidden in the new missile defense 
doctrine.

Source: Pravda