Deputy Assistant Secretary Frank A. Rose of Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance today said United States is strengthening its internationl missile defense cooperation.
In his keynote speech at the 2011 Multinational BMD Conference Copenhagen, Denmark, Mr. Farnk said one of the United States’ key early cooperative efforts with allies on missile defense was with Denmark and the Home Rule Government of Greenland in upgrading the Thule early warning radar for BMD purposes.
“We’re grateful to our Ally, Denmark, for its early cooperation.” -Mr. Rose
He highlighted that expanding international efforts and cooperation on BMD with U.S. allies and partners is a key objective of the Obama Administration’s BMD policy. He said the U.S. government is working closely with its allies and partners in Europe, East Asia, and the Middle East to strengthen cooperation in regional approaches tailored to the specific threats faced in each region.
He noted that the threat from short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles to our deployed forces, allies, and partners is growing, and this threat is likely to increase in both volume and complexity in the coming years.
“Many states are increasing their inventories, and making their ballistic missiles more accurate, reliable, mobile, and survivable. Trends in ballistic missiles show increased ranges, more advanced propellant systems, better protection from pre-launch attack, and the ability to counter BMD systems.” -Mr. Rose
He stressed that Iran, for example, is fielding increased numbers of mobile regional ballistic missiles and claims to have incorporated anti-missile defense tactics and capabilities into its ballistic missile forces.
“In North Korea, the regime continues to display provocative behavior including ballistic missile development efforts, which jeopardize peace and stability in the region. North Korea has conducted numerous ballistic missile tests, including the failed effort to launch the long-range Taepo Dong-2 missile in April 2009.” -Mr. Rose
He stressed that countries such as Iran and North Korea continue to pursue ballistic missiles with extended ranges, in addition to their short-, medium-, and intermediate-range missiles that already threaten U.S. deployed forces, allies and partners.
“Recognizing the seriousness of the ballistic missile threat, the United States seeks to create an environment, based on strong cooperation with allies and partners, which will eliminate an adversary’s confidence in the effectiveness of missile attacks and thereby devalue the development, acquisition, deployment, and use of ballistic missiles by proliferators.” -Mr. Rose
Mr. Rose emphasized that President Obama has made international cooperation on missile defense a key Administration priority and is pursuing specific regional approaches in Europe, East Asia, and the Middle East.
“In sync with our BMD cooperation goals, we’re also working hard to prevent missile proliferation. The U.S. actively participates in the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), which serves as the global standard for controlling the transfer of equipment, software, and technology that could make a contribution to the development of WMD-capable missile and unmanned aerial vehicle delivery systems.” -Mr. Rose
Mr. Rose stressed that the United States supports the Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC), and is working through the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) to help partners improve their ability to stop shipments of proliferation concern.
