Hagel Beefing Up U.S. Anti-Ballistic Missile Defenses

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel

The Department of Defense announced this week that it's beefing up our ground-based ballistic missile interceptors to guard against increased threats from North Korea and Iran.

Defense Secretarty Chuck Hagel said in a Department of Defense statement via the DOD's American Forces Press Service that:

"...North Korean and Iranian missile capabilities have increased and the United States must stay ahead of that threat, Hagel said. Both have developed longer range ballistic missiles, and North Korea has now conducted three nuclear tests, followed by stepped up threats against the United States and South Korea..."

Hagel said the Pentagon will deploy:

"...14 more ground-based interceptors in locations at Fort Greely, Alaska, and Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif, Hagel said, boosting the total number from 30 to 44.   The added interceptors will provide a nearly 50 percent increase in U.S. missile defense capability...The United States has missile defense systems in place to protect us from limited ICBM attacks, but North Korea in particular has recently made advances in its capabilities and is engaged in a series of irresponsible and reckless provocations..."

According to Hagel:

"...Last month, North Korea conducted its third nuclear test. In December 2012, the North launched a satellite into orbit, demonstrating an intercontinental ballistic missile capability. In April 2012, Pyongyang also displayed what appeared to be a mobile intercontinental ballistic missile capability...the United States will team with Japan to deploy an additional advanced radar there. The radar will provide improved early warning and tracking of any missile launched in North Korea at the United States or Japan...DOD is also conducting environmental impact studies for a potential additional interceptor site in the United States. Officials are looking for two sites on the East Coast and one on the West. While the administration has not made a decision on whether to proceed, conducting environmental impact studies will shorten the timeline of construction should a decision be made, he explained. Hagel also announced plans to restructure the SM3-2B program, a land-based standard missile, with plans to deploy it as part of the European phase-adapted approach. “The purpose was to add protection of the U.S. homeland already provided by our current GBIs [ground based interceptors] against missile threats in the Middle East..."

According to Hagel, shifting resources from the “lagging program” to fund the additional interceptors and kill vehicle technology that will improve performance of the GBI and other versions of the SM3 interceptor allows the U.S. to add protection against missiles from Iran and North Korea sooner, and he reemphasized the United States’ “iron-clad” commitment to missile defense.

AIR FORCE MAJOR GENERAL
STEPHEN L. KWAST

Hagel's announcement comes just as work has begun on the "Quadrennial Defense Review, which Air Force Major General Steven L. Kwast heads at the Pentagon.  According to Kwast, the review helps leaders understand the security environment and tailor forces to best operate in a new world.  Kwast said:

"...We’re coming out of Afghanistan and Iraq, we have a new strategic guidance that shifts the balance towards Asia, and we have a global fiscal reality that is unique...Those things all come together in a way … that makes this an opportunity to have a significant discussion about strategy for the next 20 years and whether this is one of those inflection points … to adjust that strategy...”

The review, which has to be done, according to Congressional deadlines, by 2014, is used to assess risks, make budgeting decisions and consider resources. Kwast elaborated:

"...Whenever we have uncertainty in budget, whenever we have uncertainty in the strategic environment, there is nothing more important than stepping back and thinking strategically...What is that we’re trying to do here, and how can we ensure that we are formed for the purpose that we are created for?...DOD is in a 'crazy place' right now in regards to finances and resources...[and]...as long as we build things that have the attributes -- flexibility, adaptability and resilience -- then you can fuse and form and swarm your way to fit the problem that emerges...”

With regard to the missile defenses against Iran and North Korea, Hagel said:

"...The missile deployments the United States is making in phases 1 through 3 of the European phase-adaptive approach, including sites in Poland and Romania, will still be able to provide coverage of all European NATO territory as planned by 2018...The overall result will improve the U.S. ability to counter future missile threats from Iran and North Korea while being good stewards of taxpayers’ resources...The American people expect us to take every necessary step to protect our security at home and U.S. strategic interests abroad...But they expect us to do so in the most efficient and effective manner possible..." 

Vanguard of Freedom:  News ... Perspectives ... Duty Honor Valor ... Video ... Vanguards ... Behind Enemy Lines ... Headliners