NNSA, Russia open new nuke security center

MOSCOW, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The United States and Russia have opened a new nuclear security training center outside Moscow.

"The Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration -- NNSA -- and the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs -- Internal Troops -- MVS-IT -- celebrated today the opening of the newly upgraded Lunevo Protective Force Training Center near Moscow," the NNSA said in a statement Dec. 12.

"The center, renovated under a successful cost-sharing effort between NNSA and MVD-IT, acts as the primary facility for training protective forces that guard sensitive Russian nuclear facilities," the NNSA said.

"The completion of this work is an important milestone in U.S.-Russian cooperation to account for, control and protect nuclear materials," NNSA Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation William H. Tobey said at the ceremony. "This project is another example of the United States and Russia's shared commitment to nuclear security."

"Through this successful effort, Russia's MVD-IT invested approximately $3.5 million to renovate and improve existing infrastructure, while NNSA contributed approximately $1.5 million for training areas, barracks, and equipment for classrooms," the U.S. agency said.

"This work was carried out as part of the joint U.S.-Russia Material Protection, Control and Accounting program, under which the United States is assisting Russia in enhancing security for Russian weapon-grade materials and nuclear warheads. Eighty-five percent of the sites included in the program have been secured to date, and the balance of sites is scheduled to be completed in 2008," the NNSA said.

Set up by Congress in 2000, the NNSA describes itself as "a separately organized agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science."

The NNSA said it "maintains and enhances the safety, security, reliability and performance of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without nuclear testing; works to reduce global danger from weapons of mass destruction; provides the U.S. Navy with safe and effective nuclear propulsion; and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the United States and abroad."