October 10, 2006 :: U.S. House of Representatives :: News
Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, yesterday sent an important letter to President George Bush calling for immediate programmatic additions to U.S. missile defenses. Such systems, he stated, should be “capable of addressing the full range of North Korean missile-based threats to the United States, our deployed forces, and our allies.” First and foremost, the U.S. must “accelerate further the schedule for fielding Aegis ballistic missile defense capabilities,” either solely Standard Missile-3 interceptors or an appropriate combination of both SM-2 and SM-3 interceptors. Second, the U.S. must “maintain an optimal air defense capability on the peninsula” by deploying sufficient numbers of ground-based Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) systems. Third, the U.S. must “accelerate the deployment of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities,” focusing on Northeast Asia. Congressman Hunter offered to serve as an advocate in Congress for any reprogramming requests submitted by the White House to carry out these critical national security objectives.
The Congressman’s recommendations are similar to those put forth by the Independent Working Group in its recent report, Missile Defense, the Space Relationship, and the Twenty-First Century, which strongly advocates the expansion of sea-based missile defenses, as well as the strengthening of missile defense collaboration with vital allies such as Japan.
Full text of Duncan Hunter letter to President Bush:
October 9, 2006
President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
The recent statements that the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) has successfully conducted its first nuclear test have proven deeply disturbing to the international community, especially when viewed in concert with North Korea’s July 4 missile launches. I understand that the United States can and should work with our partners in the United Nations and the Six Party Talks to take a strong stand on these provocative actions. I also believe that the United States must take immediate steps to develop and deploy systems that are capable of addressing the full range of North Korean missile-based threats to the United States, our deployed forces, and our allies.
First and foremost, we must accelerate the U.S. ability to rapidly field and deploy a sea-based picket capability to protect against future North Korean ballistic missile launches. In the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007, the conferees added $100.0 million for Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense SM-3 interceptor procurement and Aegis system development. That is a start, but we need to accelerate further the schedule for fielding Aegis ballistic missile defense capabilities, whether solely SM-3 interceptors or an appropriate combination of both SM-2 and SM-3 interceptors. I recommend strongly that the executive branch submit to the Congress both a proposal that states what steps are necessary to accomplish such acceleration and a request to reprogram the necessary funds.
Second, North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile tests underscore the importance of the PATRIOT Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) deployment on the Korean peninsula. The United States must maintain an optimal air defense capability on the peninsula. I understand that United States Forces Korea has two full PAC-3 battalions - or 8 firing batteries - located in the Republic of Korea. I want to make certain that this presence is sufficient to protect the security interests of both the United States and our allies in the region.
Third, we must also enhance and, where appropriate, accelerate the deployment of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities focused on key regions, including Northeast Asia. I urge you to review the current and planned deployment of such ISR capabilities and make the adjustments necessary to ensure that the U.S. Government has the best available information to prevent conflict and, if that proves impossible, to defend our homeland, our deployed forces, and our allies.
It is crucial that our government protect U.S. national security interests and honor the full range of U.S. deterrent and security commitments, including through the development and deployment of ISR and missile defense capabilities. I will gladly serve as an advocate in the Congress for any reprogramming requests submitted by the executive branch to carry out these critical national security objectives.
With best wishes.
Sincerely,
Duncan Hunter
Chairman
» Read the 2007 report: The Independent Working Group on Missile Defense, the Space Relationship, and the Twenty-First Century (8 MB)
» More stories on: Policy, North Korea, Japan
» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3), Aegis Ship-Based BMD
