Meanwhile the "density" of armed conflicts across the world keeps growing, and the main role in these conflicts is played by conventional yet precision weapons.

The missile defense system being set up by the Americans, incorporating ground, naval and space components tightly integrated with air defense systems, is an effort to protect themselves not only against strategic nuclear missiles but also against the whole spectrum of precision weapons.

While the pragmatic Americans, who figured out early that to integrate all aerospace defense would mean putting it in one bundle, have been working on this program for a long time already, Russia's government only developed a similar program and started its implementation as late as the end of April.

As Sergei Ivanov, until this week first deputy prime minister, pointed out, the range of measures involves creating a multi-service system of defenses against precision weapons, including unified control and information systems, to protect Russia's armed forces, economy and infrastructure.

Sergei Ivanov, who also put in a long tour of service as Russia's defense minister, stressed that today's Russian army and navy are equipped with air defense missile systems developed in the 1960s and '70s.

Ivanov's comments imply a quick retooling of the Russian armed forces with modern air defense weapons capable of repulsing airspace attacks. This mainly concerns the S-400 Triumph air-defense and theater anti-missile weapon -- North Atlantic Treaty Organization reporting name SA-21 Growler -- that proved highly capable in tests held in July 2007.

This system is a really good one. Unlike its predecessor, the S-300, the S-400/SA-21 interceptor missile is capable of engaging targets not only in the air but also in outer space. It could potentially become the backbone of both Russia's unified aerospace defense system and a European non-strategic missile defense.

Unfortunately, however, the new weapons are being deployed far too slowly, and in too small numbers, to have any effect. The sole S-400 battalion is deployed in the vicinity of the Moscow region town of Elektrostal.

Speaking on the creation of an integral air defense missile system and preparations for its serial production, Ivanov noted a number of problems impeding the process, primarily inadequate financing and coordination, lack of manufacturing capacities for mass production and poor quality of component parts produced.

These problems not only are hampering defense production but also are a scourge of the entire national economy. In addition, the defense industry lately has developed a harmful habit of exporting the bulk of its latest and most sophisticated hardware, ignoring the requirements of the national armed forces. The S-400 interceptor missile system is no exception, and its export record is predetermined.

In other words, the Russian armed forces are still a long way from deploying a dependable air defense system capable of reliably protecting all vital infrastructures within the Russian territory. By that time, the S-400 Triumph would be obsolete and helpless against new, modernized guided precision weapons, and its capability would not match its name.

Yet missiles are not the only means of countering modern precision weapons. Precision weapons are a means of destruction comprising guidance or automatic homing devices. So it is possible to defend a location either by destroying the bomb or missile, or by hindering its homing mechanisms. The latter option envisages creating effective countermeasures.

Modern foreign precision weapons use automatic homing devices operating within the visible, infrared and radar spectra. With its homing system "blinded," a cruise missile is virtually useless.

The Russian military already has developed a relatively cheap way of protecting a large area without deploying air-defense missile systems. The idea is to use remote-detonated munitions to build up a high-altitude barrage, lowering the target contrast in all three spectra and disorienting the incoming precision weapon.

It is clear that one shouldn't rely solely upon this method of countering precision-guided munitions. But any means of protection are good in today's world with its avalanche-like pace of developing new weapons systems.

(Andrei Kislyakov is a political commentator for RIA Novosti. This article is reprinted by permission of RIA Novosti. The opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily represent those of RIA Novosti.)

(United Press International's "Outside View" commentaries are written by outside contributors who specialize in a variety of important issues. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of United Press International. In the interests of creating an open forum, original submissions are invited.)

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