US mulls dropping missile defence system in Europe; Russia pleased

A plan by the United States to possibly abandon the final phase of its European missile defence system could revive arms-control talks with Russia.

As part of plans announced on Friday to deploy more anti-missile batteries in Alaska to thwart potential strikes from North Korea, the United States intends to "restructure" its missile defence program in Europe, an administration official said.

US President Barack Obama's plan for Europe had envisaged SM-3 interceptors on land and sea and upgrades over four stages.

The final phase of the missile-killing interceptor, known as SM-3 IIB, was due to be deployed within about 10 years in Poland and possibly Romania, with a more powerful booster rocket and other advanced hardware.

But the final phase "is being restructured due to congressional funding cuts and changing technology", an administration official said.

"The goal is to research what alternative there could be to the original SM-3 IIB plan," the official added.

The decision could cause dismay in Poland and Romania but will likely be welcomed in Moscow, as Russian officials had seen the more sophisticated interceptor as aimed at its missile arsenal and undercutting its nuclear deterrent.