A U.S. defense contractor's proposal to prepare a mobile ground-based interceptor for deployment in Europe would not affect plans to field a missile-tracking radar in the Czech Republic, Prague indicated yesterday (see GSN, Aug. 20).
Boeing Co.'s recommendation for a mobile interceptor was intended as an alternative to a Bush administration proposal to permanently field 10 ground-based interceptors in Poland and a radar station in the Czech Republic. Russia has opposed the Bush plan due to fears that the system could counter Moscow's strategic missile deterrent. The Obama administration has not said whether it will pursue the effort.
"The whole system will always function based on the combination of fixed and mobile elements (including many radars) that will complement one another. It is not possible otherwise," Czech First Deputy Foreign Minister Tomas Pojar said, according to the Czech News Agency. Last year, Pojar played a lead role in negotiating treaties to allow the Czech radar's installation.
The Czech Defense Ministry refused to comment on the Boeing proposal. "It is necessary to wait for more information," said spokesman Andrej Cirtek (Czech News Agency, Aug. 20).