[Published: Tuesday February 05 2019]
 Russia plans new missiles after treaty pullout
MOSCOW 5 Feb (ANA) - Russia says it is planning to develop new missile systems after both Russia and the US suspended their involvement in an arms control pact.
The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) banned the pair from using short- and medium-range missiles.
The US has long accused Russia of violating the pact, and last week US President Donald Trump announced he would exit it. Russia followed suit.
The moves have raised concerns about a new arms race.
The INF was signed during the Cold War to ease a crisis in which US and Soviet missiles were placed within range of European capitals.
On Tuesday, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said the aim was to create new land-based missiles within the next two years.
Ground-launched missiles were banned under the INF, but not sea or air-launched ones, which Russia already possesses and that can be used to create the new systems.
Mr Shoigu said the US was already violating the accord: "[The US] are actively working on creating ground-based missiles with the range capability of over 500km, which is outside the treaty-stipulated limitations.
"In this situation, the Russian president has set the task for the defence ministry to take tit-for-tat mirrored measures," he said.
The US is yet to respond to Russia's announcement but AP news agency last week cited Trump officials as saying there were no immediate plans to test or deploy missiles banned under the INF. (ANA)
FA/ANA/5 February 2019------------
|
UN/Gazans buried under rubble