Ballistic Missile Shields

Obtaining a ballistic missile defence capability adds another layer to a nation’s nuclear and/or conventional deterrence.

- Debalina Ghoshal

On 30 August at Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, Lockheed Martin’s tested its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system by intercepting a mediumrange ballistic missile (MRBM) target. It successfully detected and tracked the incoming missile before firing a missile to intercept the intruder after developing a fire control solution. The missile was launched from a remotely located site. According to Richard McDaniel, vice president of Upper Tier Integrated Air and Missile Defense Systems at Lockheed Martin, “the test paves the way for delivery of an urgent need capability that will enhance THAAD’s emplacement options resulting in greater asset protection.”

This was the 16th successful intercept in 16 attempts for the THAAD system since 2005.

Developing Ballistic Missile Defence

Nation states can enhance their deterrence posture by making any aggressor reevaluate their own vulnerabilities should they launch a ballistic missile attack. Missile defence became an option for deterrence by denial when almost all nonproliferation activities failed to counter existing and emerging ballistic missile threats. This article will examine some of the latest systems regarding ballistic missile detection and defence.

Countries including the United States, Russia, China and India all either have, or are looking at obtaining, sophisticated ballistic missile detection and defence systems, which can not only counter threats from ballistic missiles but also counter cruise missile systems.