Third World Ballistic missiles

Journal Article · Wed Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1990 · Scientific American; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/scientificamerican0890-34· OSTI ID:6337119

Nolan, J E; Wheelon, A D

Ballistic missiles and other means of long-range destruction, traditionally limited to a handful of industrialized nations, are fast becoming a fixture in many regional conflicts. The Third World military buildup is perhaps even more worrisome than its First World prototype, for it is far more likely to find expression in war. There are several reasons why this should be so. In the past decade the number of countries in the missile club has more than doubled, to 18. Many of the new members have been at war or are embroiled in disputes. Unlike the major powers, these countries have not had time enough to perfect systems of command and control over their new strategic forces. They have had little time to learn to manage the complexities of military brinksmanship. Finally, because many regional conflicts overlap, an escalation in the arms race tends to convey itself from one area of tension to another. For many years the big industrialized countries ignored the proliferation of ballistic missiles and sought political advantage by arming their clients. In doing so, they presumed that the bipolar alignment of power would restrain regional conflicts. The preoccupation with East-West issues overshadowed problems in the Third World. Smaller industrialized powers sold missiles to generate revenues to support their own military industries. Meanwhile the developing countries eagerly acquired missiles for the same reasons that had motivated their predecessors: to deter attack, intimidate enemies, build a technological base and win prestige.

• OSTI ID: 6337119
• Journal Information: Scientific American; (USA), Journal Name: Scientific American; (USA) Vol. 263:2; ISSN SCAMA; ISSN 0036-8733
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

350200* -- Arms Control-- Proliferation-- (1987-)
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
450000 -- Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
AFRICA
AGREEMENTS
ARGENTINA
ARMS CONTROL
ASIA
BRAZIL
CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENTS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
EXPORTS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INDIA
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
IRAN
IRAQ
ISRAEL
LATIN AMERICA
LIBYA
MIDDLE EAST
MILITARY STRATEGY
MISSILES
NORTH AMERICA
NORTH KOREA
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
PAKISTAN
PROLIFERATION
SOUTH AMERICA
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
USA
WARFARE
WEAPONS