NATO declares missile shield interim capacity is fully operational

A fact sheet entitled "Chicago Summit - NATO Capabilities" has declared that the first stage of its Ballistic Missile Defense System, namely, the phase of "interim capability", has become fully operational. The fact sheet announced by the White House on Sunday said, "NATO has initiated a capability that, although limited in its initial phase, can provide real protection against ballistic missile attack.  With initial NATO command and control procedures in place, the President has directed the Secretary of Defense to transfer operational control of the U.S. radar in Turkey to NATO." Accordingly, the first phase of the four-phased missile shield in the Kurecik district of southeastern city of Malatya which is set to be completed in 2018 has become operational. A decision on the radar system was made at the 2010 Lisbon Summit. "In Chicago, NATO declared the achievement of an Interim Capability for NATO ballistic missile defense, an important step towards fulfilling the commitment made at Lisbon," the statement said, adding, "Allies have committed to invest over $1 billion in the command, control, and communications infrastructure needed to support NATO missile defense." NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the declaration of "interim capability" at the Alliance's summit in Chicago was a first step toward a goal of establishing full coverage of Europe by 2018.