U.S. Abstracts:

Ballistic Missile Defense and the Asia Pacific Region

Dr. J. David Martin

Missile defenses are required to safeguard the United States, its allies and their troops from ballistic missile attack.  Ballistic missiles are increasing in both quantity and quality and have been used in numerous conflicts around the world.  Because of these various threats, the United States cannot have a single missile defense system and expect it to be effective in all instances.  The United States must develop a family of systems to provide a defense in depth.  Two types of missile defense systems that are being researched are lower-tier and upper-tier systems.  Lower-tier systems include the Patriot and Aegis missile systems and are designed to protect local targets such as ports and airfields.  An improved version of the Patriot is planned to be operational by 2001 and the Aegis system is planned to be operational by 2003.  The upper-tier systems consist of THAAD and NTW and are designed to intercept missiles up to 3,000 km away.  Upper-tier systems are designed to protect civilian targets, but have still not been successfully tested.  The United States is working with its allies to develop the family of missile defense systems.  Current US strategy is to cooperate with allies in all aspects of national security, cooperation on missile defense plays just one part.  Secondly, the United States does not have unlimited funds to develop missile defenses and must seek the aid of allies to share the costs.  Currently, Japan is interested in developing NTW with the United States and the Europeans are interested in developing the Patriot with the United States.  Israel has also expressed interest in missile defenses.  Finally, the author concludes that missiles defenses programs must continue as they are the only protection if deterrence fails.

David Martin is the Deputy For Strategic Relations, Ballistic Missile Defense Organization.

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