Given the threat posed by state and non-state actors, ballistic-missile defence could help protect the UK's vital national interests in the coming decades
Ballistic missiles can be a major threat to a country’s armed forces and civilian population. As a result, many states have become interested in ballistic-missile defence (BMD) as a way to safeguard their national interests – both at home and abroad – from current and potential adversaries.
This Occasional Paper examines the BMD options for the UK, taking into account the country’s geography and its military’s overseas role. Missile proliferation and technology transfers are adding new dimensions to the threat the UK faces – this is particularly the case in relation to non-state actors. Accordingly, the author argues that BMD should be recognised as an important capability which receives appropriate investment. This need not be prohibitively expensive – Roberts finds that a high-level of protection for the UK’s territory and armed forces is both feasible and affordable.
About the Author
Peter Roberts is a Senior Research Fellow for Sea Power and Maritime Studies at RUSI.
WRITTEN BY
Professor Peter Roberts
Senior Associate Fellow
