Anti-ballistic missile
An anti-ballistic missile is a surface-to-air missile designed to destroy in-flight ballistic missiles. They achieve this explosively, or via hit-to-kill kinetic vehicles, which may also have self-maneuvering capabilities.
Tactical systems are widely deployed to counter short and intermediate-range ballistic missiles that carry conventional warheads.
Strategic systems, deployed by the United States, Russia, China, and Israel, are capable of intercepting intercontinental ballistic missiles, typically used to carry strategic nuclear warheads. During the Cold War, the 1972 ABM Treaty limited the nuclear arms race; excessive ICBM production would have been favoured to overwhelm ABM systems. For modern strategic systems, Russia's ABMs are the only ones that are themselves armed with nuclear warheads.
Current counter-ICBM systems
There are a limited number of systems worldwide that can intercept intercontinental ballistic missiles:- The Chinese HQ-19 is designed to intercept medium, intermediate, intercontinental ballistic missiles at terminal or mid-course phase. The missile system can also target satellites at the lower orbit. It entered operation in 2018. The HQ-19 was first tested in 2003, and subsequently a few more times, including in November 2015.
- The Chinese HQ-29 is designed to intercept intermediate and intercontinental ballistic missiles, as well as targeting satellites. The system was announced in operation in 2025.
- The Russian A-135 anti-ballistic missile system is used for the defense of Moscow. It became operational in 1995 and was preceded by the A-35 anti-ballistic missile system. The system uses Gorgon and Gazelle missiles previously armed with nuclear warheads. These missiles have been updated and use non-nuclear kinetic interceptors instead, to intercept any incoming ICBMs.
- The Israeli Arrow 3 system entered operational service in 2017. It is designed for exo-atmosphere interception of ballistic missiles during the spaceflight portion of their trajectory, including those of ICBMs. It may also act as an anti-satellite weapon.
- The American Ground-Based Midcourse Defense system, formerly known as National Missile Defense, was first tested in 1997 and had its first successful intercept test in 1999. Instead of using an explosive charge, it launches a hit-to-kill kinetic projectile to intercept an ICBM. The current GMD system is intended to shield the United States mainland against a limited nuclear attack by a rogue state such as North Korea. GMD does not have the ability to protect against an all-out nuclear attack from Russia, as there are currently only 44 ground-based interceptors available to counter projectiles headed towards the US.
- The Aegis ballistic missile defense-equipped SM-3 Block II-A missile demonstrated it can shoot down an ICBM target on 16 November 2020.
- *In a November 2020 test, the US launched a surrogate ICBM from Kwajalein Atoll toward Hawaii in the general direction of the continental US, which triggered a satellite warning to a Colorado Air Force base. In response, launched a missile which destroyed the surrogate ICBM, while still outside the atmosphere.
American plans for Central European site
During spring 2006 reports about negotiations between the United States, Poland, and the Czech Republic were published.
The plans propose the installation of a latest generation ABM system with a radar site in the Czech Republic and the launch site in Poland. The system was announced to be aimed against ICBMs from Iran and North Korea. This caused harsh comments by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe security conference during spring 2007 in Munich. Other European ministers commented that any change of strategic weapons should be negotiated on NATO level and not 'unilaterally' between the US and other states. The German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, a Social Democrat, expressed severe concerns about the way in which the US had conveyed its plans to its European partners and criticised the US administration for not having consulted Russia prior to announcing its endeavours to deploy a new missile defence system in Central Europe. According to a July 2007 survey, a majority of Poles were opposed to hosting a component of the system in Poland.
By 28 July 2016 Missile Defense Agency planning and agreements had clarified enough to give more details about the Aegis Ashore sites in Romania and Poland.
Current tactical systems
People's Republic of China
Historical Project 640
Project 640 had been the PRC's indigenous effort to develop ABM capability. The Academy of Anti-Ballistic Missile & Anti-Satellite was established from 1969 for the purpose of developing Project 640. The project was to involve at least three elements, including the necessary sensors and guidance/command system, the Fan Ji missile interceptor, and the XianFeng missile-intercepting cannon. The FJ-1 had completed two successful flight tests during 1979, while the low-altitude interceptor FJ-2 completed some successful flight tests using scaled prototypes. A high altitude FJ-3 interceptor was also proposed. Despite the development of missiles, the programme was slowed down due to financial and political reasons. It was finally closed down during 1980 under a new leadership of Deng Xiaoping as it was seemingly deemed unnecessary after the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty between the Soviet Union and the United States and the closure of the US Safeguard ABM system.Modern Chinese systems
In March 2006, China tested an interceptor system comparable to the US Patriot missiles.China has acquired and is license-producing the S-300PMU-2/S-300PMU-1 series of terminal ABM-capable SAMs. The license-built HQ-15 may possess terminal ABM capabilities.
The HQ-16 is effective in intercepting tactical ballistic missiles. The system entered service in 2008.
The HQ-9 provides terminal interception against short- and medium-range ballistic missile targets. It entered service in 2001. The lastest variant, HQ-9C, has a large magazine depth. Chinese Navy operates modern air-defense destroyers, such as the Type 052C destroyer and Type 051C Destroyer, which are armed with naval HQ-9 missiles.
Aside from targeting ICBMs, the HQ-19 can also intercept medium, intermediate ballistic missiles at terminal or mid-course phases.
The HQ-22 can provide interception against short-range ballistic missiles at their terminal phase. The system entered operation in 2019.
The HQ-26 is a naval-based ballistic missile defense system under development.
The Dong Neng-3 is an experimental mid-course interceptor designed for targeting intercontinental ballistic missiles and satellites under development.
China carried out a land-based anti-ballistic missile test on 11 January 2010. The test was exoatmospheric and the intercept performed in midcourse phase by a kinetic kill vehicle. The interceptor missile was a SC-19. The sources suggest the system was not operationally deployed as of 2010.
On 27 January 2013, China conducted another anti-ballistic missile test. According to the Chinese Defense Ministry, the missile launch was defensive in character and was not aimed against any countries. On 4 February 2021, China reportedly conducted a mid-course intercept anti-ballistic missile test.
Europe
Aster
The Aster is a family of missiles jointly developed by France and Italy. The Aster 30 variants are capable of ballistic missile defense. An export customer, the United Kingdom also operates the Aster 30 Block 0.On 18 October 2010, France announced a successful tactical ABM test of the Aster 30 missile and on 1 December 2011 a successful interception of a Black Sparrow ballistic target missile. The s in French and Italian service, the Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyers, and the French and Italian FREMM-class frigates are all armed with PAAMS integrating Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles. France and Italy are developing a new variant, the Aster 30 Block II, which can destroy ballistic missiles up to a maximum range of. It will incorporate a kill vehicle warhead.