In the first quarter of next year another new-generation radar "Voronezh" will be accepted for combat duty.

First Vice-President of the Academy of Geopolitical Problems, Captain 1st Rank Konstantin Sivkov in an interview with "Voice of Russia" explained why it was imperative to update the radar system.

Missile surveillance in the Soviet Union was comprehensive and controlled all the possible directions a missile or aerial threat could emanate from.

However, after the country's breakup, Russia had lost the stations that controlled the western, north-western and northern areas, since the corresponding facilities turned out to be either outside Russia's borders, or were scrapped in the 90's.

Today, the system is being gradually restored. Thus, new radars have been set up, providing control over the south-western strategic aerospace zone that was previously covered by Gabala early warning radar station.

Due to growing demands from Azerbaijan, Russia will soon have to leave the area. It is quite natural that newly established stations will cover the presently unprotected areas.

The state armament program states that by 2018 the country should ensure comprehensive control of the air and space environment.

A new network of radar missile warning should be installed spanning the entire expanse of the country. This is vital for the country's security, and is in no way connected with development of the U.S. missile defense system.

Voice of Russia