CNN reported today that Russia has activated a missile defense radar that had been in test mode for much of 2011. The system is based in Kalingrad, Russia and according to CNN will cover all of Europe and the Atlantic. Is this a new Woodpecker?
Here’s the CNN story:
CNN-After receiving a report from the Space Defense Troops commander that the Voronezh-DM radar station was fully ready for launch, President Medvedev gave orders to put the radar on combat duty. The radar system protects from missile attacks, and covers all of Europe and the Atlantic. The station has been working in test mode for the whole of 2011 and is the third of its kind with the first two already working in the Leningrad and Krasnodar Regions.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev last week said that Russia would strengthen its defenses and deploy missiles and anti-missile components to Kaliningrad as a reply to the US and NATO constant push towards creating the European Missile Defense system with components stationed near the Russian border.
An additional information on Russian Radar systems