03 June 2015
U.S. Conventional Prompt Strike: Potential Implications for the Asia Pacific
Executive Summary
The United States’ military continues to explore long-range conventional prompt strike capabilities to strike ‘time-sensitive’ targets across the globe on very short notice. Known as Conventional Prompt Global Strike (CPGS), the programme has not yet translated into operational weapon systems because of technological and political challenges. However, it is important to think about the possible implications of an introduction of conventional prompt strike systems into the Asia Pacific theatre. Part of the rationale for developing these weapons has been the potential utility in a conflict with China or North Korea. As a result, the paper analyses the possible strategic impact of CPGS systems in the Asia Pacific.
Undoubtedly, long-range conventional strike systems would provide U.S. political and military leaders with additional military options. Yet, their introduction into the Asia Pacific region could also be problematic for strategic and operational reasons. It is far from clear that they would be needed in a DPRK scenario. Moreover, the rationale for potential operations against targets in China is questionable. At a minimum, long-range, prompt conventional strike systems would pose challenges for U.S.-Sino crisis stability. Regardless, the region needs to prepare for a future where two or more states possess a new category of offensive, conventional systems.
About the Author
Dr Benjamin Schreer is a Senior Fellow for Defence Strategy at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) in Canberra, Australia. In December 2014 he was also a Visiting Fellow with the Military Transformations Programme within the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. Dr Schreer holds a PhD in Political Science from the Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Germany.
Executive Summary
The United States’ military continues to explore long-range conventional prompt strike capabilities to strike ‘time-sensitive’ targets across the globe on very short notice. Known as Conventional Prompt Global Strike (CPGS), the programme has not yet translated into operational weapon systems because of technological and political challenges. However, it is important to think about the possible implications of an introduction of conventional prompt strike systems into the Asia Pacific theatre. Part of the rationale for developing these weapons has been the potential utility in a conflict with China or North Korea. As a result, the paper analyses the possible strategic impact of CPGS systems in the Asia Pacific.
Undoubtedly, long-range conventional strike systems would provide U.S. political and military leaders with additional military options. Yet, their introduction into the Asia Pacific region could also be problematic for strategic and operational reasons. It is far from clear that they would be needed in a DPRK scenario. Moreover, the rationale for potential operations against targets in China is questionable. At a minimum, long-range, prompt conventional strike systems would pose challenges for U.S.-Sino crisis stability. Regardless, the region needs to prepare for a future where two or more states possess a new category of offensive, conventional systems.
About the Author
Dr Benjamin Schreer is a Senior Fellow for Defence Strategy at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) in Canberra, Australia. In December 2014 he was also a Visiting Fellow with the Military Transformations Programme within the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. Dr Schreer holds a PhD in Political Science from the Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Germany.
