Defense Department begins ballistic missile defense review

The vice commander of U.S. Strategic Command said today the Pentagon has started its ballistic missile defense review, a six-month effort that will run just behind the nuclear posture review that began last month.

Vice Adm. Charles Richard, speaking at a May 2 Mitchell Institute breakfast, said the study will analyze national policy, current and future capabilities, and "offense-defense relationships" through the lens of strategic deterrence.

"Both of those are going to at least set the stage for us to think through strategic deterrence larger than nuclear, in terms of the role of space and the role of cyber," he said of the concurrent reviews.

STRATCOM chief Gen. John Hyten told the Senate Armed Services Committee last month the ballistic missile defense review could encompass specific recommendations for new missile defense sites.

President Trump ordered the "Missile Defeat Defense Review" in January to "help determine homeland and theater missile defense priorities, identify ways of strengthening ballistic missile, cruise missile, and hypersonic weapon defense capabilities, integrate missile defense policy planning into strategic planning and identify priority funding areas," Inside Defense previously reported.

Richard also used the breakfast on Capitol Hill to reiterate the Defense Department's position that all three legs of the nuclear triad are necessary for an effective deterrent, particularly touting the need for a follow-on capability to the Air-Launched Cruise Missile.

UPDATE May 5:

Pentagon spokesman Dana White issued the following statement:

Today, Secretary Jim Mattis directed the commencement of the Ballistic Missile Defense Review to identify ways to strengthen missile-defense capabilities, rebalance homeland and theater defense priorities, and provide the necessary policy and strategy framework for our nation's missile defense systems.  Defending the nation and U.S. interests abroad from ballistic missiles is one of the department's highest priorities.

 The review, running concurrent to the Nuclear Posture Review, will be led by the deputy secretary of defense and the vice chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, and include interagency partners. The process will culminate in a final report and will be delivered to the president by the end of the year.