US Developing New Drones, Long-Range Cruise Missile in Response to Russia

US Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Brian McKeon told the House Armed Services Committee that the United States is preparing upgraded defense capabilities and other new technologies to respond to alleged Russian military provocations.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The United States is preparing upgraded defense capabilities and other new technologies to respond to alleged Russian military provocations, US Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Brian McKeon told the House Armed Services Committee.

"We are investing in technologies that are most relevant to Russia’s provocations, developing new unmanned systems, a new long-range bomber, a new long-range stand-off cruise missile, and a number of innovative technologies," McKeon said on Tuesday.

McKeon claimed that the measures are meant to deny Russia any military advantage it may gain from allegedly violating the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. Russia has repeatedly denied the US allegations that it is out of compliance with the treaty.

In addition to new technologies, the United States will also continue to provide $789 million to the European Reassurance Initiative, increase its rotational forces and military exercises in NATO's eastern flank, and preposition military hardware in Europe, McKeon explained.

Russia has warned the United States that increasing its military footprint in Eastern Europe could have a destabilizing effect on the region.