Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) takes part in a video link with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu onboard the Vice-Admiral Kulakov anti-submarine warfare ship in Novorossiysk, Russia. Mikhail Klimentyev / Reuters/RIA Novosti/Kremlin
Moscow Times: Russia's Satellite Nuclear Warning System Down Until November
Russia has delayed the launch of a new military satellite system by four months, news agency TASS reported Wednesday, leaving Moscow nearly blind in the event of a nuclear missile attack till at least November.
Russia's decaying constellation of Soviet-designed early warning satellites was left nearly blind last year, when one of the three remaining units malfunctioned. The remaining two satellites were taken offline in January, leaving Russian decision-makers reliant on land-based radar systems to detect incoming missiles.
Radar systems, however, give far less warning than the satellites of incoming strikes, as radar can only detect objects within a set range.
WNU Editor: I first reported on this story in February .... Russia Has Lost Its Early-Warning System For Detecting An Incoming Nuclear Missile Strike .... and I warned at the time that this could be dangerous. 5 months later my advice still stays the same .... this is not a good time to spook the Russians. In comparison to the U.S., NORAD has at least 16 satellites in orbit watching for missiles and is planning to add up to 24 more in the coming years..
More News On Russia's Satellite Nuclear Warning System Being Down Until November
Russia vulnerable to nuclear attack; new satellite system delayed until November -- Washington Times
Russia’s Satellite Nuclear Warning System Down Until November -- Defense Tech
Russia's Military Satellite Delay Leaves Country Vulnerable To Nuclear Missile Attacks: Report -- IBTimes
Very respectfully I don't think Russia is much concerned about a firs strike against them. As far as I know, no one with any real influence in America has threatened a nuclear strike against Russia. In contrast, Russian media has detailed a nuclear strike against America. Since little to nothing makes seems to make it to Russian media without the approval of the government, the possibility of Russia undertaking a nuclear first strike against America would seem a real possibility.
ReplyDeleteThe thinking is likely this coupled with cyber attacks and the use of weapons to destroy NORAD'S satellites and other US satellites will render any need to monitor a non US response unnecessary. Additionally Russia only needs to worry about America. As such, their current ground based systems are probably more than sufficient to monitor any nuclear weapons launches from America in sufficient time to implement counter measures.
In contrast, America faces a much broader and deeper array of threats to is national security than Russia does. America needs to be concerned with China, Iran, Islamic terrorists, and the nations who support them who may launch missile attacks on America. As such, America needs an early warning system like NORAD whereas Russia likely really does not and, as such, this system is not going to be a high priority to them.
I would agree that actions that risk spooking the Russians would be bad idea. Recognizing their stronger position relative to America and Western Europe is probably a good place to start. While this does NOT mean one would capitulate to any and all demands they might make or wish to make, it has some potential of lessening the risks of conflict with minimal downside risks. As such, a good place to start.