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Issues Influencing European and UK Attitudes to Missile Defence

Apr 2005, Vol. 150, No. 2
By Michael Rance

From the moment in 1984 that President Reagan announced the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), European nations have taken attitudes that range from cautious apparent support to indifference. Over twenty years later, with SDI transformed into Missile Defence, the position in Europe has not changed much. Some countries are still doing nothing. Others are buying or developing extended air defence systems to deal with the missile threat to their troops. Several are active participants in NATO initiatives, whilst others will be happy to go along with whatever NATO decides. But none seem to have aspirations for a national defensive umbrella, such as the US is erecting with silos in Alaska and California, or to take part in a Global System often alluded to in the US. This article will examine the issues involved in the defence of Europe against ballistic missiles. It will address the benefits and problems associated with providing a Layered defence for Europe and will particularly examine boost phase options. The focus will be on political and public issues rather than the purely technical, except where technical issues have a political resonance. For the UK in particular, the relationship with the US is central, as is the timing of any firm US initiative in relation to the imminent General Election.