The US plans to conduct 'the largest ever test launch' of its missile defense program elements to intercept and destroy five 'enemy' missiles- three medium-range ballistic missiles and two cruise missiles, the director of the Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency Gen. Patrick O'Reilly told Congress on Wednesday.

The US plans to conduct 'the largest ever test launch' of its missile defense program elements to intercept and destroy five 'enemy' missiles- three medium-range ballistic missiles and two cruise missiles, the director of the Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency Gen. Patrick O'Reilly told Congress on Wednesday.

It is planned to use several surface-to-air guided missileair defense systems, including Patrior, TAAD and Idjis.

The US has been working with other NATO countries to locate such defense systems in the Asia-Pacific region and in the Middle East.

earlier related report
Russia Sees Missile Defense as 'Space Threat'
Moscow (RIA Novosti) May 07 - A European missile defense system may threaten Russian satellites, Space Defense Forces chief Lt. Gen. Oleg Ostapenko said on Thursday.

"Ground- and sea-based missile defense systems can be used not only as anti-missile but also anti-satellite weapons," he said at a missile defense conference in Moscow.

The deployment of missile defense components in different parts of the world will make it possible to intercept spacecraft at any point of their orbit.

"In this context we regard the creation of effective air and space defense systems as a key element of modern warfare," the general said.

Source: RIA Novosti