Overview
This international conference is timely, allowing participants to look ahead to the NATO Warsaw Summit in July and to also discuss the implications of the UK Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015 (SDSR).
Developing as both a political and military requirement, and against a perceived background of increasing threats, more states are acquiring ballistic missile defence (BMD) capabilities to deter against state and non-state actors.
The emerging security environment is politically charged, given a revanchist and truculent Russia, tumult in North Africa, the impact of Daesh and instability in the Middle East and North Korean belligerence. It seems rational and prudent for politicians to demand increased deterrence and resilience measures as part of a balanced force package to meet national defence requirements. Ballistic-missile systems, using advanced liquid- or solid-propellant technologies, are becoming more mobile, resilient, reliable, accurate and capable of striking targets and projecting military power at all ranges. With the technological problems associated with defensive systems outstripping both the cost and development timeline of ballistic missiles, effective BMD systems must be proactive and form part of a larger, multifaceted approach.
From a UK perspective and as recognised by the recent SDSR, the current proliferation and sophistication of ballistic missiles make the threat of a future ballistic-missile attack by state or non-state actors on UK territory, including the UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs) and deployed British armed forces, a real and increasing possibility. A debate of UK options should consider the military requirements, costing the available options alongside the capabilities they deliver, as well as the political aspirations.
The seventeenth RUSI Missile Defence Conference is well placed to make a unique contribution to discussions on policy and capability requirements, and will explore the following themes:
- NATO BMD and Assessing the Relationship with Russia Ahead of the Warsaw Summit
- European Contributions to a NATO BMD Architecture and Operational Effectiveness
- United States Policy and Capability Developments Â
- National Developments and Multilateral Efforts in the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East Regions
- Land and Sea-based Options for National Systems (including Medium Powers’ Capacity for Theatre Missile Defence during Autonomous Operations)
- Strategic Stability and the Relationship between BMD and Nuclear Deterrence
- Current and Future Missile Threats
- Industry Perspectives and Technological Updates (Interoperability, Radar Systems, Data Sharing, Interceptor-Guidance and Propulsion Systems, Sensors and Communication Links).
Â
Speakers include:
Robert Bell, Senior Civilian Representative of the Secretary of Defense in Europe and Defense Advisor, U.S. Mission to NATO
Colonel Myeongguk Cheon, Research Fellow, Center for Security and Strategy, Korea Institute for Defense Analyses
Brigadier General Lutz Kohlhaus, Deputy Chief of Staff Personnel, Training and Organization, German Air Force HQ
Dr Brad Roberts, Director, Center for Global Security Research, Lawrence Livermore National     Laboratory
Frank Rose, Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control, Verification and Compliance, U.S. Department of State
Daisuke Seki, Deputy Director (BMD Policy), Ministry of Defense, Japan
Roberto Zadra, Head, Integrated Air and Missile Defence Section, NATO HQ
Dr Katarzyna Zysk, Associate Professor/Acting Dean, Norwegian Defence University College
Presentations
Session One, Strategic Goals and Aspirations Ahead of the NATO Warsaw Summit
Roberto Zadra, Head Integrated Air and Missile Defence Section, NATO
Session Three, BMD in Europe – NATO, National Perspectives and Threats
Jakub Cimoradsky: NATO BMD as part of integrated approach to Air and Missile Defence
Session Four, The Relationship between Strategic Stability, BMD and Nuclear Deterrence
Dr. Heather Williams: Tailoring Arms Control in the New Strategic Environment
Session Five, Industry Perspectives, Systems and Technology
Dr. David McDowell, MBDA UK: Sea Viper Maritime Missile Defence
Session Six, Threats, Missile Proliferation and BMD Developments outside the Euro-Atlantic Area
Sponsors
Lockheed Martin
Conference sponsor
Ratheon
Conference sponsor
Thales
Conference sponsor
Thales Raytheon Systems
Conference sponsor
UK Missile Defence Centre
Conference sponsor