Nuclear Security & Deterrence Monitor Vol. 27 No. 26
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Morning Briefing

Article of 6

May 29, 2014

GOP LAWMAKERS UPSET OVER NNSA NONPROLIF. EFFORT IN RUSSIA

By ExchangeMonitor

House Republicans are calling on the Obama Administration to stop providing a laser-based protective force training system to Russia as tensions simmer between Washington and Moscow over Russia’s recent actions in Ukraine. The National Nuclear Security Administration’s nonproliferation program has been providing the Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (MILES) to Russia since at least the start of Fiscal Year 2014 as part of efforts to strengthen nuclear security in Russia, according to budget documents. Reps. Mike Turner (R-Ohio), Jim Bridenstine (R-Okla.) and 16 other House Republicans suggested in a March 24 letter to Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz that it would be a “mistake” to continue to provide the system to Russia after President Obama suspended military-to-military contact with Russia over Ukraine. “What message is sent if you stand behind this budget request—in essence, making a gift of military technology that makes its forces more lethal to a state with the means to launch an invasion of its neighbor after a failed attempt at a $15 billion bribe?” the lawmakers wrote.

The lawmakers described the system as a “tactical force-on-force trainer” that “uses a system of lasers and dummy ammunition to simulate ground combat for soldiers.” Bridenstine said it is “ludicrous that U.S. taxpayers are paying to give Russia free military equipment after President Obama announced a suspension in military engagement with Moscow. It’s just another example of how the President is hanging on to his failed ‘reset with Russia’ policy despite Russia’s invasion and occupation of Ukraine. I expect Secretary of Energy Moniz to act quickly and stop irresponsible military equipment transfers.” The lawmakers told Moniz to provide a list of all Fiscal Year 2015 NNSA funding that provides technology or services to Russia as well as an intelligence assessment of whether Russia could have other than nonproliferation uses for the technology. The NNSA did not respond to a request for comment.

The NNSA’s FY 2015 budget request included $305.5 million for the International Material Protection and Cooperation program, which provides security upgrades to countries around the world, including Russia and former Soviet states. The MILES equipment would be provided to eight Atomguard and MVD-IT training centers to “support effective protective force performance testing,” according to the budget request. “Putin has proven that he has a brazen disregard for the sovereignty and stability of Eastern Europe and that he will continue to manipulate and disregard international law. Despite this overwhelming evidence that Putin is not our ally, it is astonishing that the Obama Administration would still provide superior, U.S. military technology to an aggressive and advancing Russia. The United States must seriously redirect its approach and immediately terminate all military aid to Russia,” Turner said.

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