Frequently Asked Questions On Missile Defense

Missile Defense

Q:  Who would the system protect?
A:  The proposed missile defense elements in the Czech Republic and Poland would protect both countries, and the rest of Central Europe, from long-range missiles launched from the Middle East.  The proposed system would protect most NATO allies. NATO members too close to the Middle East to be protected by the assets in the Czech Republic and Poland would be protected by other defense assets.  The United States hopes to reach agreements with the Czech Republic and Poland within a timeframe that ensures the system is in place by 2013. Current intelligence estimates are that Iran will have an intercontinental ballistic missile by 2015. 

An existing U.S. missile defense system protects the United States, but the Administration seeks to provide European allies with the same level of protection from medium and long range missiles. It is true that the proposed system in Europe would also enhance U.S. security, but the greater protection this system offers America’s east coast could be achieved without engagement in Europe.
How the system works in order to achieve this new layer of defense is explained in detail in the 2007 Brochure “Proposed U.S. Missile Defense Assets in Europe,” produced by the Missile Defense Agency and the Department of State and available on the U.S. Embassy website. (more)

Q: Where in Europe and the world are there U.S. missile defense elements already in place?
A:  The deployment of a tracking radar in the Czech Republic and interceptors in Poland would add a new level of preparedness, but missile defense is not new to America’s allies.   In Europe, the existing early warning radar in the United Kingdom has been upgraded to enable its integration and employment as a component of the Ballistic Missile Defense System.  In addition, the U.S. and Denmark have signed an agreement to use an upgraded early warning radar in Greenland that will be integrated into the missile defense system in the next few years.  Also, long-range interceptor missiles are located in Alaska and California in the U.S., and an upgraded missile tracking radar is located in the Aleutian Islands in Alaska.  An X-band radar has been deployed to Japan, the Patriot system against short to medium range missiles is in numerous locations around the world, and U.S. ships equipped with advanced missile defense radars and interceptor missiles are preparing for operation in the Pacific Ocean. 

The United States is cooperating on the system with a wide range of friends and allies including Japan, Great Britain, Australia, Denmark and Italy. The United States also cooperates with Israel, Germany, the Netherlands, and with NATO on broad areas related to missile defense.  In addition, the United States and Spain have established a Missile Defense Technical Group; the United States has a Theater Missile Defense Exercise Program with Russia; and we are exploring possible cooperative projects with France and Ukraine. 

next

previous