Anti-ballistic missiles

Abstract

The chapter analyses the technical and political problems connected to the introduction of anti-ballistic missiles (ABMs), and to a lesser extent of multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles and fractional orbital ballistic systems. These technological events are depicted as extremely dangerous as they, contrary to what their supporters hope, introduce further instability in an already very precarious and hazardous international system. The chapter argues that, above all, ABM technologies would reinvigorate the arms race: the inevitable reaction is ever escalatory, with more efficient or newer strategic weapons introduced to re-establish the deterrence balance.