Written by / Compiled by KMI Media Group staff

MSMF 2008 Volume: 1 Issue: 3 (December)

Russia will deploy short-range Iskander missiles in its exclave of Kaliningrad next to Poland in response to U.S. missile plans for Europe, President Dmitry Medvedev said in his first state of the nation address. “An Iskander missile system will be deployed in the Kaliningrad Region to neutralize if necessary the anti-ballistic missile system in Europe,” said Medvedev.

Moscow has repeatedly expressed its opposition to Washington’s plans to place 10 interceptor missiles in Poland and an accompanying radar in the Czech Republic, saying they threaten Russia’s national security. Medvedev also said that Russia had canceled plans to take three missile regiments out of service in a region to the west of Moscow. “We earlier planned to remove three missile regiments of a missile division deployed in Kozelsk [Kaluga Region] from combat duty and disband the division by 2010. I have made a decision to withdraw these plans,” Medvedev said, noting that Russia had been forced to take this measure.

The division has RS-18 Stiletto intercontinental ballistic missiles with a range of 10,000 kilometers (6,200 miles).

Soon after Medvedev’s speech, a Pentagon spokesman reiterated that proposed U.S. missile defenses in Eastern Europe will be purely defensive and will pose no threat to Russia.

“These are interceptors,” Bryan Whitman said of the system that will include 10 missile silos in Poland and a radar station in the Czech Republic. “And they are designed to protect our European allies as well as the … United States from an emerging ballistic missile threat from the Middle East.” Whitman emphasized that the United States has gone out of its way to reassure the Russians that the proposed missile defense system “is not a system that threatens them.”

U.S. Troop and Radar Support Mission Update

The U.S. DoD has deployed to Israel an AN/ TPY-2 Transportable Radar Surveillance/ Forward Based X-band Transportable, supporting equipment and personnel to Israel. The U.S. European Command (EUCOM) supported mission is designed to deter and counter an Iranian missile attack. “The total number of U.S. personnel who are involved with the operation is composed of approximately 100 personnel. These personnel are comprised of U.S. Army, Marines and Air Force, Department of the Army civilians, and Missile Defense Agency personnel and contractors. The breakdown of units are as follows: 357th Air Missile Defense Detachment, U.S. Army; 21st Theater Sustainment Command, U.S. Army; Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team (FAST), U.S. Marine Corps; 86th Contingency Response Group (CRG), U.S. Air Force; 31st Logistics Readiness Squadron (LRS), U.S. Air Force; 5th Signal Command, U.S. Army; Missile Defense Agency,” Captain Bryan Woods, EUCOM spokesperson, told MSMF.

The AN/TPY-2, one of the most powerful defensive systems available, will provide advanced tracking of medium- to long-range ballistic missiles. “The radar is capable of detecting ballistic missiles early in their flight and will provide precise tracking information for use by U.S. and Israeli missile defense systems. The radar will enhance and extend ballistic missile defense capabilities in the region and function as a deterrent to attacks, thus contributing to regional security,” added Woods.

The military, Department of Army civilians, and MDA contractors are responsible for the installation, the setup and the interoperability of the radar system. “Approximately 40 people are required to maintain and operate the U.S.-owned and operated radar system,” said Woods.

Woods concluded, “The United States and Israel have a long-standing partnership in addressing issues of regional and global security. This action is consistent with our U.S.-Israel partnership and our commitment to the security of our partners in the region and around the world. The Army Navy Transportable Radar Surveillance (AN/ TPY-2) will help promote regional security and provide a useful deterrent to any attacks.”

Captain Bryan Woods: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Successful International PAC-3 Missile Tests

Airmen of the Japanese Self Defense Force successfully supported the first international PAC-3 missile test at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. The test was an engagement against a tactical ballistic missile (TBM) target, which was intercepted and destroyed by a PAC-3 Missile delivered to the Japan Self Defense Force.

The flight test was conducted by Patriot Japan Air Self Defense Force. The test demonstrated the Patriot Configuration-3 upgrades to Japanese Patriot ground system and the addition of the PAC-3 Missile Segment to detect, track, engage and destroy a TBM target in a realistic battlefield environment.

Next, airmen of the German Air Force (Luftwaffe), supported by Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Army Lower Tier Project Office, successfully conducted the second international PAC-3 Missile flight test. That test successfully fired a PAC-3 Missile from a German Patriot fire unit with Configuration-3 upgrades. The test demonstrated the Patriot Configuration-3 upgrades to the German Patriot ground system, which includes the PAC-3 Missile Segment launcher electronics and the Fire Solution Computer that are necessary to launch PAC-3 Missiles. This was the first time a German Patriot launcher had executed a PAC-3 Missile launch.

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Dallas, Texas, is prime contractor on the PAC-3 Missile Segment upgrade to the Patriot air defense system. The PAC-3 Missile Segment upgrade consists of the PAC-3 Missile, a highly agile hit-to-kill interceptor, the PAC-3 Missile canisters (in four packs), a fire solution computer and an Enhanced Launcher Electronics System. These elements have been integrated into the Patriot system, a high- to medium-altitude, long-range air defense missile system providing air defense of ground combat forces and highvalue assets. Raytheon is the Patriot system integrator.

Craig Vanbebber, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ;

Dan O’Boyle: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

* Compiled by KMI Media Group staff