MOSCOW - RUSSIA'S armed forces will be equipped with new nuclear-capable missiles by 2020 that can overcome defensive measures like the controversial US missile shield, the military said on Wednesday.

'By 2015-2020 the Russian strategic rocket forces will have new complete missile systems with improved combat characteristics,' said General Nikolai Solovtsov, the commander of Russia's missile forces.

'They will be capable of carrying out any tasks, including in conditions where an enemy uses anti-missile defence measures,' Gen Solovtsov said, quoted by Russian news agencies.

Moscow has sharply criticised Washington's plans to put an anti-missile radar facility in the Czech Republic and interceptor missiles in Poland, despite US assurances that the system is not directed against Russia.

President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin have urged US president-elect Barack Obama to drop the system, which was planned by the outgoing administration of George W. Bush.

Gen Solovtsov said the Russian rocket forces are 'developing and putting new missile systems on combat duty and perfecting their capabilities in line with the threats that are currently apparent.'

Russia is working to upgrade its Soviet-era missile forces and has repeatedly tested new missiles in recent months.

The military has said Russia will from December 2009 deploy its new RS-24 intercontinental ballistic missile, designed to counter defence systems like the controversial US missile shield. -- AFP