Missile Defense Briefing Report: No. 303

CHINA'S RESPONSE TO THE ASIAN SHIELD
Chinese General Zhu Chenghu, from the PRC’s National Defense University, has remarked that China “will have to modernize its nuclear arsenal” in response to continued U.S. missile shield developments in the Pacific Rim. In a tone that echoes Russian pronouncements in recent years, the Chinese have expressed concern that a U.S. missile shield in the region could undermine their nuclear deterrent and leave them vulnerable. Though the improved U.S. anti-missile capabilities in the region are meant to counter perceived threats from North Korea, the advancements could also erode China's ability to deny foreign powers access to the South and East China Seas - something the PRC hopes to avoid. (Reuters, July 18, 2012)

MORE FUNDING FOR ISRAEL'S IRON DOME...
The Obama administration has signed a bill that will provide further financial assistance for Israel's development of its "Iron Dome" anti-missile system. The Enhanced Security Cooperation Act supplies a range of U.S. funding for Israeli defense research and acquisitions, including around $70 million for Iron Dome. The technology has been developed jointly by the U.S. and Israel over the past decade and was recently deployed in several major Israeli cities, successfully guarding them against missile attacks from the Gaza Strip. In addition to committing additional funding for the Iron Dome system, the Act calls for increasing defense ties between the two nations in a variety of arenas, ranging from cybersecurity to training exercises. (Israel Defense, July 28, 2012)

...AS U.S. PREPARES TO COPY ITS SUCCESS
Israel's progress with the Iron Dome has not gone unnoticed. The U.S. Army now hopes to develop a similar missile defense system to intercept short range missiles, artillery, and even enemy drones from a radius of around forty miles. American funding has been crucial in helping Israel to develop Iron Dome, and in light of its success the U.S. has been looking to use some of that technology for its own systems. Recent congressional financing for the development of Iron Dome has been contingent upon Israel sharing the production rights with the United States - rights that now look like they will be utilized. (The Hill, August 17, 2012)

ABL 2.0 RUNS INTO TROUBLE
The U.S. Senate has shot down a request for approximated $45 million in funding from the Pentagon for the development of a new anti-missile airborne laser. The funding, requested by the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, would have been used to develop a laser that could be placed on an unmanned aerial vehicle being developed by Boeing. The original airborne laser program, which developed an experimental chemical laser and placed it on a manned aircraft as a test bed, was retired earlier this year after achieving mixed results over the project’s sixteen-year lifespan. Airborne lasers are part of a long term effort on the part of the Missile Defense Agency to produce an interceptor system that could destroy ballistic missiles in their vulnerable boost phase - an effort that has floundered over cost overruns and development delays. (Global Security Newswire, August 6, 2012)

RUSSIA, IRAN ON THE OUTS OVER S-300?
Russian officials have threatened to halt their diplomatic support for Iran’s nuclear program over a row involving a disputed arms sale contract between the two countries. In 2007, the Kremlin agreed to export its advanced S-300 air defense systems to Iran, but has since reneged on the agreement after it signed a UN resolution banning such sales to the Islamic Republic. Iran has responded by launching a lawsuit seeking monetary compensation for breach of contract - a move that Moscow sees as “ungrateful,” given Russia's ongoing support for Iran's nuclear ambitions, in spite of international pressure. (Kanal Pik, August 10, 2012)

POLAND EYES SHORT-RANGE MISSILE THREAT FROM RUSSIA
Warsaw has requested assistance from NATO allies France and Germany to develop an indigenous missile defense shield. Poland is already slated to be the host of one NATO “Aegis Ashore” base equipped with SM-3 interceptors. However, the SM-3s will only have the capability to intercept intermediate range missiles, while the Polish government wants to be able to counter short range missiles as well. The request is a tangible response to Russia’s recent plan to place short range missiles near Poland as a counterweight to the deployment of NATO defenses there. (United Press International, August 13, 2012)