15 October 2002
Russian Defense Minister Says Space Important War Outcomes
spacedaily.com

Moscow - Oct 15, 2002 - Space research is a significant determinant of outcomes of conflicts and wars, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said in his article "Arms and Technologies of Russia: The 21st Century" opening the fifth volume of the encyclopedia "Space Systems and Arms".

Itar-Tass reported this week that the publication of the book was timed with the Day of Russian Space Troops, October 4.

"At the present time, space is considered, as the ground, sea and air space, as a sphere, the development of which can make a in military terms a significant and often decisive contribution to the course and outcome of wars and conflicts," Ivanov said in his article.

He said the experience of the world and Russia had shown that the use of space systems could improve the effectiveness of combat and special operations twofold.

The book presents promising military space systems, in particular a map of areas controlled by Russia's radars located near Moscow, Pechora, Murmansk, Baranovichi, Mukachevo, Sevastopol, Gabala, Balkhash and Irkutsk.

The encyclopedia describes possibilities of one of elements of "star wars", an IS-M space defense complex intended for destruction of military satellites whose orbits traverse over Russia's territory.

The book presents non-strategic missile defense systems and international cooperation in their creation.