WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- The U.S. military says it is close to striking a deal that would make a partial missile-defense shield in southern Europe operational.
Pentagon officials told the Washington Post military officials were completing a deal for construction of a key radar installation that would allow the first phase of the shield to be activated sometime next year.
The high-powered X-band radar installation will likely be located in Bulgaria or Turkey, the Post said.
The European project has been bitterly opposed by Russia and has complicated the congressional debate over a new nuclear arms limitation treaty with Moscow. The Post said some Republican lawmakers believe the treaty would limit U.S. anti-missile options in Europe.
While the groundwork is laid in southern Europe, the United States is also quietly beefing up its missile-defense capabilities in the Middle East, primarily as a defense against any potential threat from Iran.
UPI
