MOSCOW. April 26 (Interfax) - Russia is streamlining its strategic nuclear forces in view of increased U.S. missile defense capabilities, though no one needs an arms race, the Russian General Staff said.
"Russia has to upgrade its strategic nuclear forces, we will be undertaking these measures, because we cannot allow our ballistic missiles and warheads being intercepted," Russian General Staff Main Operational Directorate first deputy head Lieut. Gen. Viktor Poznikhir said.
The U.S. missile defense system currently cannot intercept all Russian intercontinental ballistic missiles, he said. "These capabilities will be increased in the near future," Poznikhir said.
"We will be doing our utmost to safeguard us both from prompt global strike weapons and missile defense. But neither us nor anyone else need this arms race," he said.