U.S. Officials Oppose Russian Spy Planes

U.S. Officials Oppose Russian Spy Planes

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Officials, military officers and top intelligence analysts oppose advanced Russian spy planes flying over the United States * These surveillance planes are equipped with an advanced sensor suite

26401522_m featureThe U.S. Military Joint Chiefs of Staff and various intelligence agencies are currently engaged in a behind-the-scenes effort, calling on the White House to ban advanced Russian surveillance planes flying over the U.S.

The White House began discussing the issue, with the main question being whether to allow new, advanced Russian intelligence aircraft to cross U.S. airpace. The flights are conducted under the Open Sky Treaty between the two superpowers.

According to the Daily Beast that treaty was signed in 1992 and verified in 2002 by 34 countries, including the United States and Russia, allowing planes equipped with advanced sensors and cameras to cross national airspaces.

U.S. officials, intelligence analysts and military experts, however, claim that the newest model of aircraft is equipped with an extremely advanced sensor suite, allowing the Russians to monitor American weapon reserves with an “extremely disturbing” level of accuracy.

iHLS – Israel Homeland Security

Obama’s security cabinet members have different opinions on the matter. While the military and intellgence agencies are against these newer aircraft, the State Department is forced to allow them under the Open Sky Treaty. According to the reports the final decision will be made by President Obama and the U.S. National Security Council.

On April 15 two Republican lawmakers, Howard McKean and Mike Rogers, called on President Obama to address the issue and ban the Russian planes. In their letter to the President they expressed their concern and supported the military and intelligence officials who oppose the flights.

Some Democrats have also voiced their opposition, while all statesmen stress the fact that it has nothing to do with the current tensions in Crimea and Ukraine. The State Deparment, however, claimed that the U.S. must comply with the Open Sky Treaty requirements. The final decision will most likely be made by the Oval Office.

Source: HLS News Wire.