Russia to start building unified air and space defense system in 2011 - General Staff

Russia is planning to build the basis for a unified air and space defense in 2011 to protect the country from missiles, the chief of the Russian General Staff said on Tuesday.

Russia is planning to build the basis for a unified air and space defense base in 2011 to protect the country from missiles, the chief of the Russian General Staff said on Tuesday.

"The state needs a shield to protect it against attacks from ballistic, medium-range and cruise missiles," Gen. Nikolai Makarov said.

Last week Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said the country's space and air defense systems should be unified before December 2011.

MOSCOW, December 14 (RIA Novosti)