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Where does ABM Defence Stand?
For decades, defence against ballistic missiles was regarded as almost impossible and (in any event) unaffordable. The two super powers agreed to limit the use of ABM missiles to two point-defence systems. Now, encouraged by the proliferation of ballistic missiles and NBC warheads, the technology nettle is being grasped, but there are major funding and diplomatic problems.
When London was being subjected to attacks by the German Army's V-2 (starting in September 1944), the only possible means of active defence was seen as the massive use of anti-aircraft artillery. Fortunately, the V-2 had only a conventional warhead. World War II ended before trials began of what would (at best) have been only a partial counter to the ballistic missile threat. The advent of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) led to the conclusion that parti...See the full content of this document
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