Open AccessDoes the US program of Conventional Prompt Global Strike threaten Russian national security?
Author(s) -
Е. К. Зведре
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
meždunarodnaâ analitika
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2541-9633
pISSN - 2587-8476
DOI - 10.46272/2587-8476-2016-0-1-52-61
Subject(s) - pentagon , ballistic missile , nuclear weapon , national security , software deployment , terrorism , international trade , computer security , political science , international security , aeronautics , arms control , cold war , engineering , business , missile , law , politics , computer science , aerospace engineering , software engineering
The article analyses a concept of Conventional Prompt Global Strike aimed at developing weapons systems that can deliver a conventional warhead anywhere in the world within an hour as a prioritized part of the US military strategy. The Pentagon planners believe that deployment of CPGS weapon would allow a selective and far more effective response to post-cold war threats, such as international terrorist networks, “rogue states” and other adversaries, thus drastically reducing reliance on nuclear deterrent in a number of situations. Over the years the Pentagon’s R&D activities in this area encompassed numerous established and emerging weapon technologies, including use of surface-launched and sea-launched strategic missiles and hypersonic glide vehicles. The CPGS program is raising serious concerns in Moscow, where Russian officials consider it as a threat to Russia’s strategic nuclear arsenals and national security interests alongside with the US plans to develop and deploy global ballistic missile defense capabilities and attack weapons in space. Moscow predicts it could undermine strategic balance and trigger a nonnuclear arms race.