US Prepares to Reactivate Missile Command in Germany After 20 Years...Return to Cold War Era

"US Hypersonic Weapon 'Dark Eagle' Operation Plan"
"Measure to Counter Russian Missile Forces"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The United States is reportedly planning to reopen the missile command stationed in Germany, which has been suspended for over 20 years since 1991, in response to Russia's recent military buildup, including missile forces. There are concerns that the military confrontation between the U.S. and Russia may revert to the Cold War era of the 1960s.

According to the British daily The Times on the 9th (local time), the U.S. government is preparing to reactivate the 56th Artillery Command in the Mainz-Kastel area of Germany, which was the missile command for U.S. forces stationed in Germany and was suspended in 1991. The Times reported that the U.S. military plans to introduce and operate the hypersonic weapon "Dark Eagle," currently under development by the U.S. military, at the 56th Artillery Command.

The U.S. 56th Artillery Command was responsible for NATO's nuclear deterrence in Europe during the Cold War after World War II. However, its operation was suspended in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the prohibition of its main weapon, the Pershing II ballistic missile, under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) signed with Russia. Former U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from the INF Treaty in 2019, citing Russia's development of the new SSC-8 cruise missile as a violation of the treaty, leading to considerations for reactivation.

The Dark Eagle missile, which is scheduled to be deployed at the 56th Artillery Command, is reported by The Times to be capable of flying at speeds exceeding five times the speed of sound, reaching 6,400 km/h, once development is complete. In addition to the Dark Eagle, a ground-launched version of the U.S. Navy's Tomahawk land-attack cruise missile is also expected to be deployed.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.