The effectiveness of the U.S. missile defense capabilities as a deterrent to the North Korean missile threat

Abstract

Over the last five years, America has placed an ever-increasing emphasis on missile defense and currently spends nearly $10 billion annually on its development. The United States' current missile Defense system is integrated; it depends on the cooperation of defensive elements aboard ships, on land, in the air and space. The objective is to provide a layered defense with multiple opportunities to destroy an incoming missile. By investing heavily in missile defense technology, the United States is clearly aiming to protect itself and its allies, but it is also attempting to deter its enemies and other terror regimes from spending their dollars on long-range missiles with the capabilities of hitting United States targets. The underlying theory is that rogue regimes possess limited funds and will not invest precious dollars on weapons that will not be effective during an attack. The United States believes its missile defense system is a deterrent to rogue states. However, North Korea's test launches in July 2006, along with subsequent testing of a nuclear device, illustrates that while the United States' missile defense system may protect America from attacks, it may not be an effective deterrent to North Korea's further missile development and future use in offensive action.