Germany, Italy protest at U.S. axing of missile defence funding

MUNICH (Reuters) - Germany and Italy have told the United States they expect it to fulfil its obligations after the U.S. Congress blocked funding for a missile defence programme involving the three countries, Germany said on Saturday.

A defence bill passed by Congress in December prohibited a final U.S. 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. U.S. lawmakers said Washington has no plans to produce the system.