Arms Control NOW

Aegis system test launch from USS Hopper

By ACA Intern Daniel Salisbury

The Washington Post recently reported:

The U.S. military is on the verge of activating a partial missile shield over southern Europe, part of an intensifying global effort to build defenses against Iranian missiles amid a deepening impasse over the country's nuclear ambitions.

Pentagon officials said they are nearing a deal to establish a key radar ground station, probably in Turkey or Bulgaria. Installation of the high-powered X-band radar would enable the first phase of the shield to become operational next year.

The PAA breaks with the plans of the Bush administration, scrapping the proposed Ground Based Interceptors stationed in Poland and radar in the Czech Republic. The new plans will primarily use the Aegis ballistic missile defense system, integrating a variety of sensors and interceptor missiles first mounted on ships and in later phases, on land.

The Arms Control Association has published a new factsheet detailing the Obama administration's plans for the "Phased Adaptive Approach at a Glance." Also available is a factsheet explaining the recent developments in the various U.S. Missile Defense programs.