MOSCOW The Russian military will upgrade its missiles in response to US plans for weapons in space, AP quoted a top Russian general as saying on Monday.
Interfax news agency quoted Russias Strategic Missile Forces chief, Col.-Gen. Nikolai Solovtsov, as saying that Russias intercontinental ballistic missiles will be modernized to protect them from space-based components of the US missile defence system.
The upgrade will make the missiles warheads capable of flying outside the range of the space-based system, Solovtsov was quoted as saying.
He didnt elaborate, but Russian officials have previously boasted about prospective new warheads capable of making sharp manoeuvres on their way to their target to dodge missile defences.
Solovtsov also reportedly said the military will commission new RS-24 missiles equipped with state-of-the-art systems to help penetrate a missile shield.
Russia has criticized US plans for space-based weapons, saying they could trigger a new arms race. Washington has resisted efforts by Russia and China to negotiate a global ban on weapons in space.
Reflecting Russias suspicions about US intentions, Solovtsov alleged Monday that the US is considering the scenario of a first nuclear strike that would destroy most Russian missiles. A few surviving Russian weapons launched in retaliation could then be destroyed by the US missile defence system.
Solovtsov said the concept was unfeasible. The Americans will never be able to implement this scenario, because Russian strategic nuclear forces, including the Strategic Missile Forces, will be capable of delivering a strike of retribution under any course of developments, he said, according to Interfax.
US officials have said repeatedly that the prospective missile defence system isnt aimed against Russia.
But the Kremlin has fiercely opposed the US plan to deploy a battery of 10 missile interceptors in Poland and a related radar in the Czech Republic. Russian leaders have dismissed US claims that the sites are intended to counter a missile threat from Iran, saying they will threaten Russias nuclear forces.
The day after Barack Obamas victory in the US presidential elections, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned that Russia will respond to the US plans by deploying short-range missiles in its westernmost Kaliningrad region near Poland.
Medvedev and his predecessor and mentor, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, then took a step back, saying that Russia will only make the move if the US deploys the missile defence in Europe. They voiced hope that the new US administration will scrap the plan.