Ballistic Missile Defense Report

Missile Threat.com ^ | 1/10/2010 | Department of Defense

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

The final installment of Missilethreat's synopsis of the 2010 BMDR will focus on the last sections of the report—dealing with international cooperation and the missile defense bureaucratic organizational structure.

International Cooperation

As a broad statement of intent, the report reiterates a U.S. commitment to the fielding of "robust, pragmatic, and cost-effective" regional missile defenses as well as a commitment to "international cooperation." Regional deterrence and a re-tooling of export controls will be key aspects of the future U.S. approach to deployed missile defense abroad.

In Europe, NATO will dominate any missile defense processes. The expansion of missile defenses from the protection of forces to the protection of populations will be a possible avenue of future pursuit for the Defense department and American diplomats. NATO will also oversee the future development of an "integrated command and control system for missile defenses (Active Layered Theater Ballistic Missile Defense, or ALTBMD)." Defense will also work to equip allies with ships housing the Aegis system, with the possibility of missile defense capabilities in the future.

In East Asia, America's important and robust missile defense partnership with Japan will continue. In addition to Aegis BMD ships, Japan also has PAC-3 missile batteries deployed, "early warning radars, and a command and control system." On the technology front, the development of the SM-3 Block IIA interceptor is a joint project of the U.S. and Japan. The Republic of Korea (South Korea) has expressed interest in missile defenses, and is thus a possible future partner in the region. The U.S. will also continue to share information with Australia about regional missile threats and defense developments.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

This is Part 3 of the Report