facts on missile defense

General Issues

Q:  What is a “missile defense system” and who would it defend?
A:  The U.S. hopes to develop and deploy an integrated, layered missile defense network to protect its homeland, deployed forces, and its allies and friends from ballistic missile attacks once a hostile rocket has been launched.  The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is the U.S. government research and development agency charged with developing this system. A missile defense system comprises a number of components at locations around the globe, including land, sea, and air-based systems to defeat short to long-range missiles that could threaten the United States, as well as Europe and other allies and friends.

Q:  Why would the Czech Republic be interested in having a missile defense system deployed?
A:  The United States and our allies around the globe have long recognized the potential threat posed by ballistic missiles. Currently a number of states in the Middle East and Asia have a ballistic missile capability that threatens a major portion of Europe.  A small number of interceptors and one or two radars in Europe could help defend against a limited ballistic missile attack from a country like Iran, which is aggressively expanding the range and sophistication of its ballistic missiles.  In addition, Iran is pursuing nuclear capabilities that, in combination with its programmed military expansion, increase security concerns for Europe.  NATO has a clear understanding of the threat, and is considering a full range of missile defense options.

Q:  With which other countries is the U.S. cooperating on missile defense?
A:  The United States is cooperating 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 is conducting discussions and workshops with India, Poland and the Czech Republic; the United States has a Theater Missile Defense Exercise Program with Russia, and we are exploring possible cooperative projects with France and Ukraine. 

Q:  Will missile defense work?
A:  Initial testing of the U.S. Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) has proven the ability to acquire, track and intercept ballistic missiles and is on track to expand its capabilities to defeat more sophisticated threats.  The BMDS includes capabilities to defeat shorter range theater missiles.  Sea-based and mobile assets are integral components of the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) but by themselves cannot defeat the entire range of threats.  Sophisticated sensors are required for earlier acquisition and target discrimination and ground based interceptors are needed to defeat longer range missiles.

Q:  Will the U.S. Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) be NATO-interoperable?
A:  NATO is currently in the process of assessing its needs in the area of missile defense that will benefit all member nations.  BMDS can integrate with emerging NATO concepts for a missile defense system.  The United States is fully committed to treaties and alliances and the collective defense of Europe.