November 29, 2006 :: RIA-Novosti :: News
Sergei Kortunov, chairman of Russia’s Foreign Policy Planning Committee, argues in
RIA-Novosti that Russia must take steps to remain a major nuclear power for the foreseeable future. Kortunov expresses apprehension that the United States is attempting to defend itself against such weapons of mass destruction. “We must face the facts,” he states. “The United States will create the NMD system in the near future and completely dominate the world unless Russia’s nuclear policy adapts to the above-mentioned priorities.” The U.S. has also adopted “loose rules of engagement for using nuclear weapons in the event of a crisis and greater regional tensions,” and therefore Russia “has no choice but to remain a major nuclear power in the foreseeable future.” Kortunov specifies that Russia’s strategic nuclear forces in 2012 should include 600 ground-based intercontinental ballistic missiles; ten to 12 ballistic missile submarines; 50 strategic bombers; and 1,000 to 1,200 nuclear warheads on intercontinental and submarine launched ballistic missiles. Such an arsenal would allow Moscow “to maintain its special strategic relationship with the United States and preserve its global political role,” Kortunov writes, adding that “we should study the possibility of resuming work on weapons and systems that can effectively breach or neutralize the U.S. ABM [anti-ballistic missile] system.”
(Article)
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