Canadian Ballistic Missile Defence From the Sea: Interoperability and Sea-Based BMD

Abstract

The current debate over missile defences in North America is focused on the defence of national territory and the technological feasibility of proposed ballistic missile defence systems. The evolutionary shift of Canadian defence policy towards an expeditionary strategy, however, indicates a requirement for some level of BMD capability to protect deployed troops and the relatively unprotected logistic, administration and civilian population centres. Adversaries will likely use these politically charged weapons to bypass superior frontline conventional forces to strike the more vulnerable rear areas. This article proposes that the Canadian Navy offers the most cost-effective and flexible approach to BMD. Sea-based BMD benefits from the same characteristics that warships bring to their other functions, notably their flexibility, versatility, and strategic mobility. Underlining the entire debate is the requirement for interoperability with the US Navy in the fielding an integrated defence against these asymmetrical weapons.