Publication

For several years, the US and NATO have pursued parallel paths to develop a ballistic missile defense (BMD) capability to defend US troops and European populations against potential ballistic attacks from countries such as Iran. At the November 2010 Lisbon Summit, alliance heads of state approved a plan to integrate existing NATO member BMD capabilities as part of the overall alliance defense posture. NATO officials have placed the estimated cost of the new territorial BMD system at approximately US$260 million, to be borne among all 28 member states over the next 10 years.