MOSCOW. Jan 11 (Interfax-AVN) - No missile defense system can destroy all Russian intercontinental ballistic missiles - the counter strike will be inescapable, said Russian Strategic Missile Forces Commander Col. Gen. Nikolai Solovtsov.
"The elements of missile shield, which the United States plans to deploy near Russian borders, will undoubtedly impact the Russian nuclear potential. But it is simply impossible to destroy the Russian potential of nuclear forces absolutely," Solovtsov said, when asked whether the U.S. is capable of creating an absolutely reliable missile defense system.
"The U.S. knows this from experience," he said.
"As a professional and researcher into the means of maintaining the combat readiness of strategic missile forces, including the missile defense systems' ability to influence the nuclear missile potential, I can say the following. The U.S. previously attempted to deploy an SDI system [Strategic Defense Initiative project, proposed by President Ronald Reagan] to deal with the same kind of problem. The U.S. gave up the idea after becoming aware it has no future," the general said.
Given the Americans' pragmatism and rationalism, the U.S. government will change its approach to the missile defense problem and "it will not allow one more insane arms race to get started," he said.
"I hope commonsense will triumph. At least, I believe it will," Solovtsov said.
The role of strategic rocket forces is estimated at over 80% in a launch under attack, and at over 50% in a retaliatory strike, according to the strategic armaments theory. The rest is to be done by strategic aviation and by intercontinental ballistic missiles to be launched from submarines, he said.