US Opens Missile Defense Base in Redzikowo, Poland, 160 km from Russia

Nov 13, 2024, 12:20 PM

The United States has officially opened a new missile defense base in Redzikowo, northern Poland, on November 13, 2024. The Aegis Ashore base, part of NATO's integrated air and missile defense system, is designed to intercept ballistic missiles from regions outside the Euro-Atlantic area. The base is located 160 kilometers from Russia's Kaliningrad enclave and houses an AN/SPY-1 radar, Mk 41 VLS launchers, and SM-3 interceptor missiles. This facility marks the first permanent US Army base in Poland, staffed by 500 US Marines, and will be under the command of US forces in Europe. The opening ceremony was attended by top US and Polish officials, including Polish President Andrzej Duda. The base, which took around two decades to build, opens as Donald Trump's presidency looms over NATO. The Kremlin has criticized the base, viewing it as an attempt to contain Russia militarily and a sign of American military infrastructure advancing towards Russian borders.