Russia warns US against deploying Aegis ships in northern seas

February 14, 2012 (Interfax)

The Russian Chief of Staff, General Nikolai Makarov, today warned the US against stationing Aegis-equipped ships in the Black and northern seas. Gen. Makarov pointed out that deployment of Aegis combat system’s elements in these seas “posed a threat” to Russia and forced Moscow to take retaliatory steps to eliminate it. He also stressed that these would be measures of last resort since they required “additional expenses.” A US Navy cruiser armed with Aegis has recently been spotted in the Black Sea. Washington has also been calling on Norway to equip their warships with Aegis. “Luckily, Norway has taken a posed stance,” he added. Russia and US-led NATO will further look into the issue of the EU missile shield at the upcoming Chicago summit this May. At the meeting, the US is to focus on the results of the first stage of the EU missile shield deployment.

On the photo you ca see USS Lake Champlain, a Ticonderoga-class Aegis guided missile cruiser, launched in 1987. This version is equipped with the Mark 41 VLS system, whereas earlier versions were equipped with the Mark-26 twin-arm missile launcher system