US expert: If Russia takes steps to upgrade Gabala radar, it could not, however, replace the shorter-wavelength radars that the U.S. is going to deploy as part of the system

I think it would be good if the U.S. and Russia agree to use the Gabala radar (as well as other radars) to exchange data on missile launches and to cooperate on space surveillance. Azerbaijan, who hosts the radar, could help support this kind of cooperation.


As I understand, the radar in Gabala can be a useful addition to a missile defense system as an early-warning radar. So, if Russia takes steps to upgrade it, it could probably serve in that role. It could not, however, replace the shorter-wavelength radars that the U.S. is going to deploy as part of the system, so general architecture of the U.S. missile defense is unlikely to change if the Gabala radar is integrated into the system.


Not necessarily, although Russia seems to insist on having some kind of integrated system. My understanding is that on the Russian side this is more of a political position. Once the sides begin serious discussions about possible arrangements, they will realize that there is no particular need to have a joint system of the kind Russia talks about. Russia could still get the assurances it wants that the system is not directed against it.


We’ve seen several "new eras" in the last couple of decades. I think the U.S.-Russian relations have a good potential for improvement and indeed they have been improving all this time, even if slowly and with some setbacks. My take is that the two countries should concentrate on building institutions of cooperation - links between their military, security, and other establishments. Missile defense cooperation would be a good example of that.


/APA/