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US Pays Czechs To Destroy Cold War Missiles
Prague (AFP) July 25, 2007 The United States, which hopes to extend its missile defence into the Czech Republic, will help Prague destroy Soviet-made Cold War missiles, vice defence minister Martin Bartak said Wednesday. The Czech Republic, a former communist state and Warsaw Pact member, has a surplus of 1,359 Soviet-made mobile guided anti-aircraft missile systems and 658 mobile launch pads. Washington will contribute 600,000 dollars (435,000 euros) to efforts to destroy the weapons, Bartak said. The payment is part of US efforts to prevent the proliferation of anti-aircraft missiles. Prague is progressively replacing the Cold War missiles, now deemed obsolete, with the modern RBS-70 system produced by Sweden's Saab company. Saab is to deliver 16 anti-aircraft systems by the end of the year for 35 million euros (48 million dollars). Washington wants the Czech Republic to accept a radar station which, together with 10 interceptor missiles in neighbouring Poland, would extend its anti-missile shield into Central Europe. The shield is to protect the US and its allies against attack from a "rogue state" such as Iran. The proposal has riled Russia and created rifts within NATO. Last week a poll found that 65 percent of Czechs opposed the plan.
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Pakistan Tests Nuclear-Capable Cruise Missile
Islamabad (AFP) July 26, 2007Pakistan on Thursday successfully test fired its nuclear-capable radar-dodging cruise missile, the military said. The indigenously developed Babur (Hatf-VII) missile has a range of 700 kilometres (437 miles) and "near stealth" properties, it said in a statement.The missile was last tested in March and first fired in 2005, since when its range has been increased from 500 kilometres. |
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