10:22 GMT, December 2, 2008 This one is for sure: The aim of Russia is to build up every capability that can encounter any anti-missile shield from the U.S. The successful test-firing of the RS-24 ICBM, as well as the Topol ICBM-2 and RS-12M has clearly shown that the U.S. build land-based missile-defence shield in Poland and Czech Republic may be defeated by Moscow’s arsenal (see: http://www.defpro.com/daily/details/188/). Moscow, however, sees a second missile-defence shield being built up by Washington and it sounds a bit like a George Lucas film when talking about a space-based missile-defence system.

In February, the U.S. Navy shoots down an 'out-of-control' satellite amid reports that the orbiter harboured nuclear material. Russia and China interpreted the move to be aimed at testing 'anti-missile defense system's capability to destroy orbiting satellites'. The two states took a step further and proposed a new treaty banning the use of weapons in space, but the idea was rejected by the Bush administration.

"Judging by an analysis of U.S. work in new weapons development and creation, they truly see space as a potential sphere for armed conflict and in connection with this are not withdrawing from plans to place weapons in space," Nikolai Solovtsov, the commander of Russia's missile forces, told Interfax news agency.

Therefore, Russia is now developing missiles designed to avoid being hit by a U.S. space-based missile defence systems. "Development is now under way on the combat outfitting of missiles whose flight falls outside the range of space-based missile defence systems," Solovtsov said.

Further plans:

Moscow will also "perfecting the structure and makeup" of its missile forces in response to the U.S. missile-shield in Poland and Czech Republic. This may also include deployment of RS-24 intercontinental missiles, which is designed to overcome such a defence system.

This months we will see another test-launch of the Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile, while the missile has already gone into full-scale production. Russia is planning to adopt new Bulava missiles for service with the Navy and commission the first Borey-class strategic nuclear submarine in 2009.
To demonstrate its potential, Russia has announced to test-fire 13 ballistic missiles in 2009, among them the RS-24 ICBM.

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See also:

New RS-24 ICBM tested: Designed to counter U.S. missile shield
http://www.defpro.com/daily/details/188/

Russian missile test sends another sign to Washington
http://www.defpro.com/daily/details/131/

Russian Topol RS-12M tested and upgraded to defeat the U.S. missile shield
http://www.defpro.com/daily/details/112/

Moscow Studies New U.S. Missile-Defence Proposal
http://www.defpro.com/daily/details/170/

Testing Obama? - Russia to place missiles near Poland
http://www.defpro.com/daily/details/168/

U.S. go ahead with missile shield?
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/3623/

3-2-1 Fire! Russia’s “Missile Sunday”
http://www.defpro.com/daily/details/148/

Russian Topol RS-12M tested and upgraded to defeat the U.S. missile shield
http://www.defpro.com/daily/details/112/

Russian RS-18 missile launching
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/3324/