By Guo Xiaobing
Recently, the United States confirmed the architecture of its "Golden Dome" missile-defense system, expanding its focus from so-called "rogue states" to peer major powers and signaling an intention to deploy offensive weapons in outer space. This move will severely undermine global strategic stability, blatantly trample on the principle of the peaceful use of outer space, and make an already turbulent world even more dangerous.
What the US seeks to develop is a global, multi-layered, multi-domain missile defense system unconstrained by any limits. Driven by an "America First" mindset and the pursuit of absolute security, the system is designed to intercept hypersonic missiles, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and even unmanned aerial vehicles launched from anywhere in the world, including outer space. The system aims to integrate existing mid-course and terminal-phase missile defense capabilities while introducing new boost-phase interception technologies. It seeks to strengthen land-based and sea-based missile defenses while advancing space-based capabilities. Emphasis will be laid on developing space-based sensors capable of tracking hypersonic and ballistic missiles, space-based interceptors for boost-phase interception, and a low-Earth orbit satellite network for global battlefield surveillance and target identification.
Strategic defense has never been merely a matter of defense. It is fundamentally tied to the global balance of strategic power and to the peace and security of the world. One of the key lessons from the US-Soviet arms race during the Cold War is that the pursuit of absolute security through the development of strategic defense systems only provokes successive upgrades in strategic offensive weapons. Based on this understanding, the US and the Soviet Union signed the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (ABM Treaty) to impose restrictions on the development of missile defense systems. After the Cold War, however, the US unilaterally withdrew from the ABM Treaty and began developing and deploying missile defense systems, while continuing to claim that these systems were not intended to undermine the nuclear deterrent capabilities of Russia and China. The "Golden Dome" breaks the pretense by openly targeting peer competitors or near-peer competitors. This will create a new imbalance in the strategic power dynamics among major powers and exacerbate the increasingly deteriorating international security situation.
By openly developing space-based offensive weapons under the "Golden Dome" system, the US is violating the principle of the peaceful use of outer space. According to the Outer Space Treaty, it is the common interest of all mankind to explore and use outer space for peaceful purposes. It also requires all States Parties to abide by international law and the UN Charter, and to uphold international peace and security. Although the Outer Space Treaty only explicitly prohibits the deployment of weapons of mass destruction in outer space and does not clearly address the deployment of conventional weapons, the international community has long exercised great caution regarding space weaponization. Until now, no country has openly deployed kinetic or non-kinetic offensive weapons in orbit. The "Golden Dome" system involves large-scale deployment of space-based reconnaissance and tracking systems, as well as space-based interceptors. This will heighten the risks of space conflicts and warfare, severely threatening humanity's long-term sustainable development and utilization of outer space.
In addition, the "Golden Dome" system proposes to adopt active launch suppression and boost-phase interception measures, which risk triggering an escalation of conflict. The US plans to take action to prevent an adversary’s missile launch even before it occurs, a strategy known as active launch suppression or "left-of-launch" missile defense. Such pre-emptive measures can exacerbate tensions and provoke broader confrontations. Boost-phase interception must be carried out shortly after the launch of missiles by the adversary. At this stage, the missile travels at a relatively low speed, making it more vulnerable to interception. However, such interception often takes place over the territory of the adversary, which carries a high risk of escalation.
Maintaining global strategic stability and preserving the peaceful use of outer space align with both the common interests of the international community and the long-term interests of the US itself. The US should give up its bad decision, respect the core interests of all countries and refrain from interfering in their internal affairs. This is a cornerstone of genuine strategic defense.
(The author is a researcher of the Center for Arms Control Studies, China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations.)
Editor's Note: Originally published on thepaper.cn, this article is translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military Online. The information and opinions in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn.
