    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book II)]
    [December 17, 2002]
    [Pages 2198-2199]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement Announcing a National Missile Defense Initiative
    December 17, 2002

        When I came to office, I made a commitment to transform America's
    national security strategy and defense capabilities to meet the threats
    of the 21st century. Today I am pleased to announce that we will take
    another important step in countering these threats by beginning to field
    missile defense capabilities to protect the United States as well as our
    friends and allies. These initial capabilities emerge from our research
    and development program and build on the test bed that we have been
    constructing. While modest, these capabilities will add to America's
    security and serve as a starting point for improved and expanded
    capabilities later, as further progress is made in researching and
    developing missile defense technologies and in light of changes in the
    threat.
        September 11, 2001, underscored that our Nation faces unprecedented
    threats, in a world that has changed greatly since the cold war. To
    better protect our country against the threats of today and tomorrow, my
    administration has developed a new national security strategy and new
    supporting strategies for making our homeland more secure and for
    combating weapons of mass destruction. Throughout my administration, I
    have made clear that the United States will take every necessary measure
    to protect our citizens against what is perhaps the gravest danger of
    all: the catastrophic harm that may result from hostile states or
    terrorist groups armed with weapons of mass destruction and the means to
    deliver them.
        Missile defenses have an important role to play in this effort. The
    United States has moved beyond the doctrine of cold war deterrence
    reflected in the 1972 ABM Treaty. At the same time, we have established
    a positive relationship with Russia that includes partnership in
    counterterrorism and in other key areas of mutual concern. We have
    adopted a new concept of deterrence that recognizes that missile
    defenses will add to our ability to deter those who may contemplate
    attacking us with missiles. Our withdrawal from the ABM Treaty has made
    it possible to develop and test the full range of missile defense
    technologies and to deploy defenses capable of protecting our territory
    and our cities.
        I have directed the Secretary of Defense to proceed with fielding an
    initial set of missile defense capabilities. We plan to begin operating
    these initial capabilities in 2004 and 2005, and they will include
    ground-based interceptors, sea-based interceptors, additional Patriot
    (PAC-3) units, and sensors based on land, at sea, and in space.
        Because the threats of the 21st century also endanger our friends
    and allies around the world, it is essential that we work together to
    defend against them. The Defense Department will develop and deploy
    missile defenses capable of protecting not only the United States and
    our deployed forces but also our friends and allies. The United States
    will also structure our missile

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    defense program in a manner that encourages industrial participation by
    other nations. Demonstrating the important role played by our friends
    and allies, as part of our initial missile defense capabilities, the
    United States will seek agreement from the United Kingdom and Denmark to
    upgrade early-warning radars on their territory.
        The new strategic challenges of the 21st century require us to think
    differently, but they also require us to act. The deployment of missile
    defenses is an essential element of our broader efforts to transform our
    defense and deterrence policies and capabilities to meet the new threats
    we face. Defending the American people against these new threats is my
    highest priority as Commander in Chief and the highest priority of my
    administration.