Russia, China Warn Japan Over Aegis Ashore Missile Defence System

Russia has issued stringent warnings to Japan and South Korea against the deployment of the US missile shields, the Aegis Ashore Missile Defence System. Russian Ambassador on Monday told the reporters that Russia and China will take retaliatory measures against Tokyo and Seoul for the deployment of US Missile Defence Shield as it threatens their security. 

As reported by TASS, Russian Ambassador to China, Andrei Denisov told the reporters that it is absolutely obvious that Russia and China will be pushed to take retaliatory measures against the installations of US missile defence systems by Japan and South Korea. The ambassador further said that this deployment also undermines Japan’s and South Korea’s own security.

In December 2017, Japan decided to consolidate its missile defence shield with two US manufactured Aegis Ashore missile defence systems. These systems are expected to be deployed completely by 2023 to the north and southwest of Japan’s main island of Honshu.

This move was made by Tokyo to enhance the defences against ballistic missiles and cruise missiles targetted towards Japan. These systems as per estimates will cost Japan $ 897 million each.

Russia and China have been vehemently opposing the deployment of the Aegis Ashore missile defence systems by Japan citing the need to maintain the regional balance of power. Now Russia has openly vowed to take steps along with China to retaliate against the deployment of the missile defence systems.

South Korea Also Keen for US Defence Sheild  

South Korea in 2016 expressed interest in the deployment of US THAAD missiles. The government backed the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area of Defense missile systems so as to counter threats from the nuclear regime of North Korea.

The deployment of the US made THAAD missiles on the Korean peninsula by South Korea is meant to take-down missile and nuclear threats from North Korea. Russia and China have also held strong objections to any such deployments being made by South Korea.

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