Asia’s New Arms Race: Missiles, Missile Defenses

With America moving its armed forces in what many call the 'pivot' to Asia, the regions major powers are also doing a pivot of their own, in advanced ballistic missiles and missile defense systems. China has recently developed its own missile system with multiple independent reentry vehicles: simply stated — one missile has multiple warheads that break up in the atmosphere that can hit several targets, all powered by one missile. China is also developing its own missile defense system. Many believe China has developed this missile as a counter to U.S. ballistic missile defenses. China's fear: Missile defenses aimed at North Korea could someday be aimed at them. India has also developed its own missile that can reach all of China's territory. There is also speculation that America maybe helping India's with its own missile defenses.


thediplomat.com...

Weak article in my opinion.

Even then, if we follow the dictionary definition of an arms race as being “competition between countries to achieve superiority in quantity and quality of military arms,” you have to doubt whether this describes what is occurring in Asia. Take the Philippines and Vietnam, which are both investing in their militaries to help protect their interests from China

The writer chose to use a definition from a dictionary, and I can only reason that it was the broadest definition he could find that would suit his purposes. Just because countries are buying arms does not imply arms race.

The parties need to be aware of their mutual antagonism, and their being in a mutually adversarial relationship.

Philippines and Vietnam are both members of ASEAN, and all member countries are in the process of modernizing their military. I would say that South East Asia has never been as stable as it is now.

Try not to buy into the hype.

double post

Originally posted by deessell
double post

edit on 27-8-2012 by deessell because: double post

US and India's Greatest threat = China

China destroyed = India (US's friend ) becomes the king of Asia along with Russia

/Good Plan

reply to post by svmpua

India (US's friend )

Not really. India is India's friend and no one else and good for them. They have been closer to Russia than the US for ages, they learned well from the UK how the Anglo-American establishment works and they will never again fall for it. They will befriend anyone that will help them advance, especially if they get some advantage over Pakistan and even better if they will provide a counterbalance to China's influence (there are also territorial disputes that frame this type of policy).

reply to post by Panic2k11


absolutely correct