Defense axes plan to hire Raytheon to secure Russian nuclear storage sites

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s plan to contract with Raytheon to install security equipment at Russian nuclear weapons storage sites has been axed, government documents indicate.

The Pentagon contract would have required Raytheon Technical Services Corp. to install security technology at five repair points at rail transfer sites throughout Russia, a notice of intent to award a sole source contract dated May 31 shows. It was unclear how the nuclear weapons stored at the sites would be deployed.

Raytheon would have been required to secure tax exemption from Russia, get approval from the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation for subcontractor access to sites, and obtain all necessary licenses and sensitive site information, the document stated.

The contracting plans were mysteriously cancelled, according to a document dated June 4. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency and Raytheon did not respond to requests for comment.