Romania to host US missile interceptors

Romania says it will participate in the development of a US missile defense system, and allow its components to be stationed in its territory.

According to the plan, the ground-based interceptors of the system will go into operation starting in 2015.

Romania's Supreme Defense Council on Thursday approved a US plan to host interceptor missiles as part of an anti-missile shield to protect Europe.

Romania claimed the now-scrapped plan by George W. Bush, only protected a small part of the country, but that the new system will "guarantee full coverage of Romanian territory", from a ballistic or mid-range missile attack.

US Missile Defense Agency photo of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) being launched at the Pacific Missile Range Facility off the island of Kauai in Hawaii.(AFP/File/Ho)