Strategic Offense and Defense: Enhancing the Effectiveness of U.S. Strategic Forces

Abstract

The United States is faced with a series of imminent strategic force posture decisions, the most critical of which focuses on measures to reduce the vulnerability of the land-based ICBM. Other decisions involve improvement to the survivability and effectiveness of the bomber and submarine legs of the Triad, U.S. space-based assets, and command and control capabilities. Complicating resolution of force planning issues are growing concerns about the adequacy of current U.S. strategic doctrine and persistent disagreements over alternative strategic policies. The most promising solution to the ICBM vulnerability problem appears to be a combination of rebasing and active defense. Active defense against ballistic missiles is a technically plausible strategic option in the 1980s. The increased viability of strategic defenses and their improving cost-effectiveness calls into question existing strategic doctrine with its emphasis on offensive systems and deterrence via threat of retaliation. A potential answer to the problem of an uncertain strategic vision may be movement toward a more balanced offense-defense posture or even to a "defense-heavy" strategic posture and corresponding strategy based on assured survival.