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NATO TO SET UP MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM IN EUROPE
[May 17, 2006]

NATO TO SET UP MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM IN EUROPE


(Interfax News Agency Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)MOSCOW. May 15 (Interfax) - The United States and its NATO allies are planning to establish an integrated air defense command and operational system in Europe and the Middle East, U.S. Missile Defense Agency Director Lieut. Gen. Henry Obering said.



All transmitters and interceptors in the Pacific region have already been integrated, the U.S. Department of State quoted Obering as saying.

The long-range missile interceptor and related transmitters will allow the United States to monitor a larger area and will help protect its allies and friends in Europe from threats emanating from Iran, the general said.


The United States and its partners are looking to enlarge the range of their missile defense systems to fend off threats posed by ballistic missiles potentially carrying weapons of mass destruction, he said.

Japan, Israel and the United Kingdom are the U.S.' principal partners in missile defense cooperation, the general said. Japanese investment, including in joint projects with the United States, has exceeded $1 billion, he said.

Japan will house the first portable X-ray radar, which uses short- wave frequencies and is capable of producing high-resolution photos to detect, monitor and recognize approaching missiles, Obering said.

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