Moscow, Feb 23 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russia plans to launch at least 100 military satellites in the next 10 years to boost its missile detection capabilities, a top official has said.
"The new 100 satellites will provide us with better quality intelligence, faster and more reliable communications," said Vladimir Popovkin, head of Russian space agency Roscosmos.
"This will also enable us to detect the launches and track not only ballistic, but also cruise missiles, theater and tactical missiles," Popovkin said.
The expansion of the military satellite cluster will also boost global positioning and mapping capabilities of the Russian military, which is necessary to guide advanced high-precision weapons being developed in the country.
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Wednesday the deployment of high-precision weaponry will be part of Russia's response to the European missile shield.
Moscow continues its staunch opposition to the planned deployment of US missile defence systems near its borders, claiming they would be a security threat. NATO and the US insist that the shield would defend NATO members against missiles from North Korea and Iran and would not be directed at Russia.
--IANS/RIA Novosti
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