Building an Integrated Missile Defense Architecture for Gulf States: Perceptions, Capabilities and Challenges

Abstract

Ballistic missile defense (BMD) plays an important role in the defense planning of all GCC members, involving huge investments with strong reliance on US assistance. This is a major concern in relations with regional powers. The response of the GCC states to BMD have included political statements as well as enhanced coordination in order to create an integrated missile defense. This effort is designed to defend the GCC homeland from missile attack by providing a security umbrella in times of crisis, protecting oil infrastructure in the Gulf, and helping to enhance integration and interoperability. With this perspective, this article seeks to examine the following questions: What is the GCC perception of missile defense issue in the region? What are the challenges that need to be addressed in order harmonize cooperation between GCC states? To answer these questions, the first section covers some conceptual considerations. The second section highlights three components of GCC perceptions of missile proliferation. The third section explores current GCC capabilities. Finally, the fourth section offers some military and political requirements to harmonize GCC force structure and multinational planning in order to conduct continuous collaboration, training, and education concepts among the national militaries of GCC’s six nations.