NATO’s Deputy Secretary General: “Not much progress” has been made with Russia on the issue of missile defence cooperation; Panetta hopeful about F-35 Joint Strike Fighters deal with Lockheed Martin
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    • According to reports, NATO’s Deputy Secretary General, Ambassador Alexander Vershbow has said that “not much progress” has been made with Russia on the issue of missile defence cooperation. Notwithstanding his reservations about Russian views on the issue, he said, “We will continue to seek closer cooperation with Russia.” However, he warned that, “irrespective of progress, we will push ahead with missile defense capability as planned.” The plan envisages providing full protection across the whole of Europe in another decade. 1
    In another development, according to reports, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has taken a more measured view of the ongoing negotiations between the Pentagon and Lockheed Martin for a batch of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters. Panetta said, “These are difficult negotiations, as they always are when you're dealing with the amount of money and the complexity that's involved with the Joint Strike Fighter.” Still, he believes the two sides will be able to lock in a deal for the jets. Panetta also threw his support behind the F-35 program. “We'll get through this,” Panetta noted. 2

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