MISSILE DEFENSE PROPOSAL FOR EUROPE

3. Benefits of Ballistic Missile Defense in Europe

The deployment of U.S. missile defense assets in Europe would provide:

•  An improved capability to defend the United States against ballistic missile attack from the Middle East

•  The capability to extend defensive coverage to Europe against longer-range ballistic missiles which would enhance the collective security of the NATO Alliance, strengthen trans-atlantic unity, reaffirm America’s commitments to European security, and avoid the decoupling of European and American security interests

•  An opportunity for technology sharing and cost savings that can substantially enhance development of the envisioned NATO Active Layered Theater Ballistic Missile Defense (ALTBMD) program

•  An opportunity for NATO to potentially utilize the U.S. sensor infrastructure for use in a future NATO defensive system for protecting population and territory – if NATO approves such a military requirement – against ballistic missiles of all ranges and increasing sophistication

•  Increased situational awareness and information sharing for Host Nations, NATO, and its Member States

•  An additional option to deal with ballistic missile attacks besides offensive retaliation or military preemption

•  The ability to dissuade potentially hostile states from indigenous development or foreign acquisition of ballistic missiles in the first place, by undermining their military utility and thus promoting European and U.S. nonproliferation goals

•  Enhanced deterrence against attempts to coerce or intimidate European allies and friends