MOSCOW, July 9 (AVN) - The United States needs true nuclear tests in order to develop the antimissile defence system, Andrei Nikolayev, chairman of the defence committee in the State Duma lower house of parliament, told the Military News Agency on Monday.
Nikolayev was asked to comment on the British Guardian newspaper's report on the possibility of resuming US nuclear tests at a proving range in Nevada.
"The case is that the National Missile Defence (NMD) system, which is to have 100 kinetic (direct, attack) action interceptors, practically means nothing," Nikolayev said. But when interceptor missiles with nuclear warheads appear each of them will be able to intercept up to 10 and more ballistic missiles, he stressed.
"If the USA is ready to resume nuclear tests this is very dangerous. 100 missiles with nuclear warheads sounds quite serious. The USA will withdraw from the ABM Treaty when it is ready. Apparently the resumption of nuclear tests is a new step towards withdrawal from the ABM Treaty," Nikolayev added.