MUNICH - Germany and Italy have told the
United States they expect it to fulfill its obligations after the
US Congress blocked funding for a missile defense program
involving the three countries, Germany said on Saturday.
A defense bill passed by Congress in December prohibited a
final US payment of $400.9 million for development of the
Medium Extended Air and Missile Defense System, known as MEADS,
which is being developed by Lockheed Martin with
partners in Italy and Germany. US lawmakers said Washington
has no plans to produce the system.
The United States, Italy and Germany have spent about $4
billion to develop MEADS over the past decade as a successor to
the Patriot missile defense system.
The White House raised concerns about the bill before its
approval, warning that a ban on MEADS funding could harm
Washington's broader relationship with its allies.