Modern Missile Defense System As An Indispensable National and NATO's Deterrence Tool

Maciej Marszałek

doi:10.37105/sd.157

Abstract

The main aim of this article is to prove the significance of the missile defense system for military deterrence at the allied (NATO) and national level (the US, Poland, etc.). To achieve the aim, theoretical research methods such as analysis, synthesis, comparison and generalization were applied. The results of the conducted research show that the missile defense system of Poland and other alliance members, and the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defense System should be considered as the crucial elements of the military deterrence, even though such systems are not offensive in nature. Thus, the formulated thesis undermines the up-to-date understanding of the problem, and therefore may contribute to further discussion on the topic of using means of defensive deterrence.

Highlights

Modern Missile Defense SystemWeapons of mass destruction and their carriers – ballistic missiles – remain one of the most important contemporary threats to the international security
If that is the case, a future war, in which Poland and NATO will participate, will have such a hybrid character and characteristics of the RussianUkrainian conflict, it would seem that ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads will not be used in combat, and the battlefield would be dominated by "the little green men"
The main research question is reflected by the following question: Should a contemporary missile defense system be considered as an indispensable military deterrence tool for the state and Alliance, and why?

Summary

Introduction

Weapons of mass destruction and their carriers – ballistic missiles – remain one of the most important contemporary threats to the international security. If that is the case, a future war, in which Poland and NATO will participate, will have such a hybrid character and characteristics of the RussianUkrainian conflict, it would seem that ballistic missiles with nuclear (or conventional) warheads will not be used in combat, and the battlefield would be dominated by "the little green men". Accepting such a scenario could be perilous. The main research question is reflected by the following question: Should a contemporary missile defense system (and the Integrated Air and Missile Defense System) be considered as an indispensable military deterrence tool for the state and Alliance, and why?. The most important academic and scientific publications, especially from the US, were carefully examined, including official reports by the US governmental agencies (Missile Defense Review, 2019; Karako et al, 2017)

NATO’s approach to missile defense

The essence of the missile defense system

Military deterrence and air defense system

Conclusions