U.S. Navy Deploying New Measures to Counter Russian Cruise Missile Threat

Today, the United States remains the only country with commitments that are truly global. Not only does the United States guarantee the security of its many allies around the world, it also acts as the ultimate protector of the global commons, especially the world’s airspace and the sea lines of communication over which most of world trade travels. To meet these commitments, the United States relies heavily on its ability to project and sustain military power throughout the world. This capability relies in turn on the ability of U.S. maritime forces, especially the navy and air force, to successfully obtain and maintain access to theaters of operation. For several decades, America’s ability to gain access to such theaters has gone virtually uncontested, but that situation is now changing. And chief among the weapon systems that opponents—such as Russia—may seek to exploit are antiship missiles, which directly threaten the very naval vessels and commercial shipping fleets that the United States is so dependent on to project force overseas.

Paul N. Schwartz