U.S. Military Set To Deploy THAAD Anti-Missile System In Germany

 

The United States is looking to establish a powerful missile shield in Germany in a potential move that would further inflame tensions with both Moscow and Tehran.

Though NATO has long insisted that its missile defense systems are not directed at Russia, the Kremlin has repeatedly condemned what it sees as NATO encroachment in Eastern Europe, especially after countries like Romania — which is not engaged in any ongoing conflict with Russia — have recently installed their own US-supplied ballistic missile systems, with renewed multi-billion dollar Patriot missile expansions to follow.

NATO May Retaliate if Turkey Buys Russian Missiles

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s decision to purchase a Russian surface-to-air missile system could create major problems for NATO, of which his country is a member.

 

Turkey has already agreed to purchase the S-400 surface-to-air missile system, but has not yet signed the contract with the Russian government to complete the transaction, however the head of NATO’s Military Committee is warning of “necessary consequences” if it follows through.

Russia’s Brand-New S-500 Missile System to Have Unprecedented Damage Radius

Not only are the Russians right around the corner from deploying hypersonic missiles that can beat American missile defenses, they have a system that renders enemy hypersonic missiles useless. In short, when America decides to finally catch up and deploy its hypersonic missiles, they will be useless.

 

Image courtesy Sputnik and Sergey Malgavko.

 

In an interview with Sputnik, Russian military expert Viktor Baranets specifically touted unprecedented the damage range of Russia’s next-generation S-500 Prometey missile system, which is currently undergoing state tests.

Earlier this week, Pavel Sozinov, chief engineer of the Russian defense corporation Almaz-Antey, said that Russia’s next-generation S-500 surface-to-air missile system would be able to engage targets in the upper layer of the atmosphere, 100 kilometers [62 miles] above the Earth’s surface.

The S-500, designed by Almaz Antey, is said to have a range of 600 kilometers (more than 370 miles). The system can simultaneously intercept up to ten ballistic and hypersonic missiles traveling at a speed of up to 7 kilometers per second. Speaking to Sputnik, Viktor Baranets pointed, in particular, to the unique performance characteristics of the new Russian missile system.

Russia to Deploy Most Advanced Missile Systems in Crimea

Crews prepare the S-400 surface-to-air missile system for air defence combat duty on Kamchtka. (Photo Russian ministry of defense)

 

The military in August plans to send to the city of Feodosia “a full regiment” of its most advanced air defense system, the S-400 Triumph surface-to-air missile system, according to an article in RT, citing comments from Lt. Col. Evgeny Oleinikov, deputy commander of the 18th missile air defense regiment of the 31 air defense division.

Brazil builds Russian defence ties with missile plan

BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazil is pushing ahead with a planned $1 billion purchase of anti-aircraft missile batteries from Russia in a deal that will cement a strategic defence partnership between the two BRICS nations, the Brazilian Defence Ministry said on Wednesday.

Brazilian officials said they expect to sign a contract by the middle of 2014 for short- to medium-range surface-to-air Pantsir S1 missile batteries and Igla-S shoulder-held missiles.

Panama: North Korean ship had more hidden arms containers

A Panamanian official announced Wednesday that more containers of suspected weapons have been found aboard a ship seized last week that was bound for North Korea from Cuba.

Panamanian Security Minister Jose Raul Mulino told the Reuters news agency that authorities found two new containers in addition to the two that were previously discovered under thousands of tons of sugar.

Acting on intelligence it hasn’t publicly described, Panama seized the rusting, 34-year-old North Korean freighter Chong Chon Gang on July 11 as it headed toward the Caribbean entrance of the Panama Canal on its way to the Pacific and its final destination of North Korea.