What is US Missile Defence?
Missile Defence is a military system designed to protect the
United States and/or its military forces (wherever they might
be) from missile attack.
The US missile defence system is made up of a series of
ground based radar, command and missile interceptor bases
around the world, with support from satellite and sea-based
facilities. The system detects and shoots down incoming
missiles. Missile Defence is a step towards achieving the US
military goal of ‘Full Spectrum Dominance’, which aims to
gain full US military control of land, sea, air, space and
information. Missile Defence is also leading to the possibility
of war in and from space.
If it is defensive, why are people worried
about it?
Ever since President Reagan first came up with the idea in
the early 1980s – at that time is was called the Strategic
Defence Initiative or ‘Star Wars’ – the US has claimed that
Missile Defence is a defensive system. Currently, the US
states that the system is necessary to counter a threat from
Iran, although intelligence indicates that Iran does not have
the technological capability to be a threat to the US. In fact,
the system is widely seen as offensive – because it will allow
the US to attack other countries without fear of retaliation.
These systems were banned for decades by the Anti-Ballistic
Missile Treaty, which recognised the dangers they present. In
2002, the US unilaterally withdrew from this Treaty to
pursue the system. Taken together with the recent US
tendency towards pre-emptive wars, the US plans are causing
great concern internationally
How does it work?
In theory, the system uses a network of space-based heat
detecting satellites to detect any ballistic missile attack
launched against the US from anywhere in the world. Another
network of ground and space-based radars will track and
target incoming missiles. Then the US can launch a missile of
its own to intercept – smash into and destroy – the enemy
missile before it reaches the target.
Will it definitely work?
That is not yet certain. Tests to track and destroy ‘enemy’
missiles with interceptor missiles have a high failure rate, and
decoy warheads can also be used to confuse the interceptors.
Even if it did work, it would not protect the US from an allout
nuclear attack, and it would not prevent non-missileattacks on the US. In fact, it is very limited as a defensive
system.
So what is the point of it?
When considered as an offensive attack system, US Missile
Defence seems to be more effective. The radar and
communications components allow the US military to spy on
other states, tracking (and possibly targeting and even
destroying) satellites and intercepting electronic communications,
and retrieving information that could be used for both
economic and military purposes. The system gives the US a
confident first-strike military advantage. If it attacked another
major nuclear power, the US could knock out most of its
weaponry in a first strike, then take out any remnants being
fired back, with its missile defence interceptors.
The location of Missile Defence bases around the world
(and in space), together with other new military technologies
such as the X-51 hypersonic cruise missile, is part of the US
plan to develop a “Prompt Global Strike” force to enable it to
strike anywhere on the face of the Earth within 60 minutes.
Which countries are involved?
As well as being located in the US, Missile Defence bases can
be found at the following locations:
Britain
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Fylingdales, Early Warning Radar Station, Yorkshire
Menwith Hill, Satellite Communication and
Relay Station, Yorkshire
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| Greenland |
Thule Air Base, Early Warning Radar Station |
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Australia
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Pine Gap, Satellite Communication and
Relay Station, near Alice Springs |
The US is also proposing the following sites:
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Czech Republic
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Early Warning Radar Station, Trokavec
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Poland |
Interceptor Missile Base, Gorsko |
The US is also working with other Missile Defence ‘partners’,
to support the development of new systems in Japan,
Australia, India, Israel and NATO countries in Europe. These
smaller, mobile (Theatre Missile Defence) systems are being
developed for use in the battlefield, wherever that may be, to
supposedly protect US armed forces in action.
What facilities are located in the US?
• Early warning Radar Station, Clear Air Force Station, Alaska
• Interceptor Missiles at Fort Greely, Alaska
• Early Warning Radar Station, Beale Air Force Base, California
• Interceptor Missiles at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
• Early Warning Radar Station, Cape Cod Air Force Station,
Massachusetts
• US Strategic Command Centre (StratCom), Omaha,
Nebraska
• Sea based X-Band Radar, Adak Island, part of the Aleutian
chain
Why is Missile Defence an issue in Britain?
Doesn’t it protect us?
Britain plays an integral role in the US Missile Defence system.
Menwith Hill, in Yorkshire, is the largest military spy base in
the world. All operational activities are directed by the US and
the information it intercepts is fed directly back to the National
Security Agency (NSA) in the US. In July 2007, it was
announced by the British government that Menwith Hill would
become part of the US Missile Defence system. The
government has been criticised by Parliament’s Foreign Affairs
Committee for failing to consult parliament on this decision.
Menwith Hill will play a key role in any future US war fighting
and planning.
There has also recently been an upgrade of the Early
Warning Radar at Fylingdales, enabling it to accurately track
and target missiles from the North York moors. Together,
these developments commit Britain to a continued supporting
role for the US military agenda – with no Parliamentary debate
or public consultation. There is considerable public opposition
to the system – not surprising given the increased security risks:
the bases will be a prime target in future wars.
A CND/YouGov poll in July 2007 revealed that 54% of the
public agreed that “the siting of US missiles and early warning
bases in the UK, Poland and the Czech Republic as part of the
US National Missile Defence programme, increases the security
threat faced by the UK and Europe.”
The US Missile Defence system does not defend the
countries that host the Missile Defence bases – whether Britain,
Poland or the Czech Republic. The Pentagon has stated that
Missile Defence is being developed for the US alone. It has
suggested that mobile systems being developed within NATO
could be combined with existing and proposed US bases to
provide a limited missile defence system for most of Europe.
However, this has yet to be verified and properly debated in the
European Parliament.
How much does it cost?
Since the US withdrew from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in
2002, spending on the Missile Defence programme has grown
substantially. Under President Clinton, the average annual US
spending on Missile Defence was $4billion per year – this has
increased dramatically to approximately $9billion per year under
President Bush.
But the bases have been in Britain for so long
– there’s not much we can do about it now is
there?
There’s a lot that we can do. We must make it clear to the
government that we do not want to participate in a system
which puts us at greater risk, and is increasing global tensions.
There must be a full public and parliamentary debate about the
issue, and Britain’s role in it must not be decided behind closed
doors. This is not impossible. In 2005, the Canadian
government told the US that Canada would not support the
Missile Defence programme. Political and public opposition to
the proposed bases in Poland and the Czech Republic is
growing at a rapid rate. We are making links with these
campaigns. Now is the time for us to put pressure on our
government to withdraw from the programme.
Why does CND campaign against Missile
Defence – it isn’t about nuclear weapons is it?
CND has campaigned against the US Missile Defence
programme since Reagan’s first plans in the 1980s. We
recognise that this military system is already leading to a new
nuclear arms race and increases the chances of nuclear
weapons being used. Bigger and better missiles will be sought
to get through or round the Missile Defence system. The
positioning of bases and (especially) interceptor missiles close
to Russian missile silos, and in countries that were formerly
Soviet allies, is causing concern in Russia. President Putin has
already threatened to aim missiles at European targets again
and withdraw from the Treaty that limits the size of
conventional forces in Europe. Already there is talk of a new
Cold War.
What can I do?
We must build on existing public opposition by increasing
people’s understanding of the real threats posed by US
Missile Defence. It is vital that we build an effective
campaign to stop government support for the Pentagon’s
plans. Contacting our MPs and explaining our opposition is
an important part of this.
CND has a leaflet, postcard and briefing available for
public and parliamentary campaigning: for lobbying MPs, for
local stalls, for setting up meetings and contacting local press.
In combination with actions and demonstrations at Menwith
Hill and Fylingdales, CND is organising a series of highprofile
events across the country specifically focused on the
implications of the development of US Missile Defence.
Please join us.
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