U.S. Admiral Raises Alarm Over Russian Military Threat
Source: CNN
By Barbara Starr, CNN Pentagon Correspondent
Updated 1523 GMT (2323 HKT) March 13, 2015
Washington (CNN)The ability of the U.S. and Canadian military to defend North America could be jeopardized by stepped up Russian military activity, according to the commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command.
Adm. William Gortney told 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," Gortney said.
"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," he said.
Gortney's remarks came in written testimony submitted to the committee.
"This past year has marked a notable increase in Russian military assertiveness," on the world stage, he said. Russian heavy bomber aircraft flew more patrols outside Russian airspace "than in any year since the Cold War," though he did not offer a specific number. There have also been increased Russian air patrols across the coastlines of Europe.
Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2015/03/12/politics/us-russia-military-threat-alarm-norad/
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