U.S. Exploring Cooperation With Ukraine On Missile Defense System

WASHINGTON, DC -- The United States is looking for ways to involve Ukraine in its plans to build a missile defense system.

A medium-range target missile rises seconds after lift-off from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii. This test by the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense, the maritime component of the "Hit to Kill" Ballistic Missile Defense System, being developed by the Missile Defense Agency.
The Deputy Director of the Missile Defense Agency said Monday that the U.S. has held several meetings with Ukrainian officials.

"We are exploring how we can continue to work with them," said Brigadier General Patrick O'Reilly. "They are a very adept country with a tremendous background in missile technology."

Washington announced earlier this month that it wants to build a missile defense system in Eastern Europe, basing a radar system in the Czech Republic and a missile interceptor site in Poland.

Russia has harshly criticized U.S. plans to build missile defense sites in central Europe, shrugging off U.S. assurances that the installations would be meant to deal with a potential threat from Iran and calling them an effort to strengthen America's military might in the region.

Source: International Herald Tribune