• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

US admiral warns against Russia's increased military activity

Iran Press TV

Fri Mar 13, 2015 11:32AM

A US military commander has warned that Russia's military activities outside the country could "jeopardize" the US and Canada's ability to defend North America.

Commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Adm. William Gortney warned the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday that Russia is continuing to work on its program to deploy 'long-range conventionally armed cruise missiles,' that can be launched from its bomber aircraft, submarines and warships.

"This is giving the Kremlin 'deterrent' options 'short of the nuclear threshold,' he added.

In a written testimony submitted to the committee, Gortney said Russia's heavy bomber aircraft flew more patrols outside the country's airspace 'than in any year since the Cold War.'

He said Russian air patrols have also been increased across the coastlines of Europe.

'Should these trends continue over time, NORAD will face increased risk in our ability to defend North America against Russian air, maritime and cruise missile threats,' Gortney said.

The United States and Canada routinely send fighter jets to identify unannounced Russian military aircrafts that approach the US coastline.

The Russian aircrafts, however, have not extended to flying into the United States of Canada sovereign airspace.

'We have also witnessed improved interoperability between Russian long-range aviation and other elements of the Russian military, including air and maritime intelligence collection platforms positioned to monitor NORAD responses,' the NORAD commander said.

'They can range critical infrastructure in Alaska and in Canada that we rely on for a homeland defense mission,' Gortney added.

He further wrote Russia has designed air patrols to 'communicate its displeasure with Western policies, particularly with regard to Ukraine.'

Ties between Washington and Moscow have deteriorated over the crisis in Ukraine. The US and its allies accuse Moscow of sending troops into eastern Ukraine in support of the pro-Russian forces. Russia, however, denies the accusation.

Since last year, the United States and European Union have set up a network of sanctions against Moscow.

SB/GJH