US set to buy Russian missiles

The US is willing to buy Russian S-300 missiles

Washington intends to offer Moscow a package of arms purchases and military aid in exchange for Russia's agreement to scrap the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) treaty.

The proposals include offers to buy Russian S-300 surface-to-air missiles, to hold joint exercises in future years, to provide money for Russia's decaying radar system and to share early-warning data.

US wants protection from "rogue states"

US officials noted that Russia has invested heavily in air-and missile-defence systems and some of its equipment "might be of significant value in deploying a missile-defence system".

The full plan is to be presented by President George W Bush at his first summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin on 16 June.

Similar incentives will be extended to other allies sceptical of Washington's plans to dispense with the 1972 ABM treaty.

The US administration sent deputy defence secretary Paul Wolfowitz and deputy national security adviser Steve Hadley to brief Europeans and the Russians on the US approach to missile defence.

Russian reaction

Mr Bush has emphasised his willingness to consult with Russia and European allies to build support for his proposals.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov quickly dismissed the talk of a US package in exchange for scrapping the ABM treaty.

It is no secret that we have offered to sell S-300s before, but a question like this will not bridge differences over ABM

Sergei Ivanov

"Even if such an offer was made, and which I underline has not been made yet, I am convinced that this would not lead to a resolution on the question of ABM treaty," he said.

Mr Ivanov defended the treaty but he pledged to study any such proposal if issued.

"It is no secret that we have offered to sell S-300s before, but a question like this will not bridge differences over ABM," he said.

Fears

The S-300 surface-to-air missiles are Russia's highly advanced equivalent of US Patriot missiles, designed to destroy fast moving bombers and cruise missiles.

Mr Ivanov pledged to study any such proposal if issued

Some of America's European allies are still evaluating the nature of the US plans for a national missile defence shield.

Others fear that abandoning the ABM treaty between Washington and Moscow could undermine overall security in Europe - a view also expressed by Russia.

US calculations on the issue of missile defence have been complicated recently with the loss of Republican control of the Senate.

Democrats taking over key Senate chairmanships are anxious about the estimated $60bn cost of the missile shield, the impact its development would have on relations with Russia and China and doubt about whether the technology will even work.