US destroyer makes its new home in Spain

NATO’s new anti-missile shield for Europe has arrived in  Spain – in the shape of US Destroyer USS Donald Cook.  The first of four anticipated U.S. destroyers arrived at Rota, a southern Spanish naval base regularly used by the U.S. Navy.

NATO’s website published a statement saying the multi-mission Missile Defense-capable Aegis Destroyer, arrived on Tuesday at Rota base, and is to be based there permanently.

NATO have confirmed that three more Destroyers ships will be sent to Rota over the next two years. The ships have advanced sensor capabilities and interceptor missiles enabling them to trace and shoot down ballistic missiles.

The shield system was designed to counter any Iranian missile threat and has elements in Romania, Poland and Turkey with operational headquarters in Germany.

Russia opposes the shield and has called for guarantees it will not be a target.