Missile Defense Presentation at University of Szczecin

12 June 2008

Interceptor launch

Embassy Press Attache Andrew Schilling traveled to the University of Szczecin June 9th to address students of political science and international security about missile defense and the current status of negotiations between the U.S.  Schilling provided an overview of missile defense theory, NATO support for missile defense expressed at the Bucharest Summit in April, and specifics of the European basing proposal now under discussion between Poland and the U.S.  In addressing concerns expressed by Russia about basing ten interceptors on Polish territory, Schilling stressed the defensive nature of the system, which is not equipped with explosive warheads but instead destroys hostile ICBMs by the kinetic energy of a direct impact. The modest number of ground-based interceptors proposed for basing in Poland could not possibly overcome the Russian Strategic Rocket Force, which numbers more than 900 ICBMs – nor are they intended to; the European interceptors are meant to and deter and destroy missiles launched from the Middle East.