Obama announces missile shield overhaul
Published:Thursday | September 17, 2009 | 1:55 PM
US President Barack Obama has announced a major overhaul of the US missile defence system in Europe.
Under the new system, controversial bases, which had been planned for Poland and the Czech Republic are to be scrapped, after a review of the threat from Iran.
Mr. Obama says there will now be a cost-effective system using land- and sea-based interceptors against Iran\'s short- and medium-range missile threat.
In August 2008, the US signed a deal with Poland to site 10 interceptors at a base near the Baltic Sea, and with the Czech Republic to build a radar station on its territory.
The US had said the missile shield would be fully operational by 2012.
However President Obama this year ordered a review of the defence system, which was strongly backed by his predecessor George W Bush.