facts on missile defense

Security Issues

Q: Will the installation protect the Czech Republic and/or Poland and/or Europe, or only the United States?
A: Interceptor missiles located in Europe will provide increased protection for the host nation or host nations, European allies and the United States from a limited intermediate and long-range ballistic missile attack originating from the Middle East.

Q: Will Patriot-type missiles be deployed to defend the installation?
A: Deployment of additional defensive missiles besides the long-range interceptors is not planned.

Q: What types of attacks will the installation be capable of defending against?
A: Interceptor missiles and a radar located in Central Europe will be capable of protecting the host nation(s), our European allies and the United States against a limited intermediate and long-range missile attack originating from the Middle East.

Q: Will the installation serve only as protection in the case of armed conflict or will it have a role in protection against terrorism?
A: The missile defense system that could be deployed would consist of up to 10 long-range interceptor missiles and a missile tracking radar.  It will be available for defensive use in the event of a limited intermediate and long-range ballistic missile attack on Europe and/or the United States.  The weapons system may deter state sponsors of terrorism from using ballistic missiles and dissuade them from providing a long-range ballistic missile capability to terrorist organizations.  If deterrence and dissuasion failed, it would be capable of defending against an intermediate or long-range ballistic missile launched by a terrorist organization from the Middle East.

Q: Will the Czech Republic or Poland become the target of an attack because of the installation?
A: It is unlikely that the missile defense installation itself would be targeted by a long-range ballistic missile due to the accuracy required to strike a relatively small target represented by the installation from thousands of miles away, and the fact that  it is capable of defending itself against a limited long-range missile attack.

Q: What are the risks associated with missile fallout?
A: The interceptors use kinetic energy to destroy offensive ballistic missiles more than 100 miles above the earth in space.  The kinetic energy generated by a direct collision between the interceptor and the target warhead pulverizes both interceptors into mainly dust-like particles.  Many of the particles and other debris will burn up upon entry into the earth’s atmosphere.  Any potential damage caused by debris would be insignificant compared to the loss of life and property caused by the detonation of a nuclear armed ballistic missile warhead in Europe or the United States.  Furthermore, in the event of an intercept, there is only a very limited risk of injury or damage due to potential future missile defense intercepts.