{"id":58665,"date":"2021-06-16T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-16T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2021\/06\/16\/robust-credible-and-layered-missile-defense-is-the-foundation-of-deterrence\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T00:23:43","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T00:23:43","slug":"robust-credible-and-layered-missile-defense-is-the-foundation-of-deterrence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/commentary\/2021\/06\/16\/robust-credible-and-layered-missile-defense-is-the-foundation-of-deterrence\/","title":{"rendered":"Robust, credible and layered missile defense is the foundation of deterrence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In 2005, an anticipated missile threat to the homeland prompted the expeditious fielding of a missile defense capability to defend the United States. Today, that threat is real, expanding, and most likely nuclear. Our defense needs to also be real and effective for today and into the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A recent report by the think tank Rand estimates North Korea has 50 nuclear weapons in its arsenal and, by 2027, will have in excess of 200 and several dozen intercontinental ballistic missiles to complement its several hundred theater ballistic missiles. The director of national intelligence\u2019s 2021 Annual Threat Assessment clearly states: \u201cNorth Korea will be a [weapons of mass destruction] threat for the foreseeable future, [and] the country is actively engaged in ballistic missile research and development.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While we must not cast diplomacy aside, we should recognize deterrence is an essential element in any strategy for dealing with the North Korean nuclear missile threat. Deterrence matters, and Adm. Charles Richard, commander of U.S. Strategic Command, framed the point well when he said: \u201cA robust and credible layered missile defense system paired with our conventional and nuclear force capabilities provide the ability to deter strategic attacks, deny benefits, and impose costs against any potential adversary.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deterrence discourages an adversary by instilling doubt and anxiety in their decision calculus. Our Ballistic Missile Defense System \u201cdenies benefit\u201d by planting that seed of doubt in North Korea\u2019s decision calculus; the doubt that an attack on the United States will succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\t