Putin: Russia helps China build missile warning system

MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin says Moscow is helping China build a system to warn of ballistic missile launches.

Since the Cold War times, only the United States and Russia have had such systems, which involve an array of ground-based radars and space satellites. The systems allow for early spotting of intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Speaking at Thursday’s international affairs conference, Putin said Russia has been helping China develop such a system. He added that “this is a very serious thing that will radically enhance China’s defence capability.”

His statement signalled a new degree of defenceco-operation between the two former Communist rivals that have developed increasingly close political and military ties.