Hypersonic Missiles and Repercussion on Global Security
Dr. Devender Kumar
New technologies are constantly shaping the future of warfare. Recently the US launched its first “Dark Eagle Hypersonic Missile” which can be used from “sea, land, and submarines” and has a speed of ‘Mach 5+’ and a range of 1725 miles. This missile travels at a velocity five times that of the speed of sound. It has increased USA’s intervention capability and “restored American deterrence” since these missiles are difficult to intercept and can “dodge any defensive weapons”. Such development has marked the competition and risk of arms race in the world due to the strategic advantage of the hypersonic domain.
Currently, Russia, the USA, China, and India have hypersonic missiles while North Korea and the United Kingdom are developing hypersonic technologies. Due to Chinese military modernization and the North Korean threats, Japan is also developing cruise missile and radar systems and signed an agreement with the USA to develop a hypersonic missile by 2030. According to a report Japan conducted two hypersonic missile tests to achieve hypersonic technologies. Some reports have argued that Chinese advancement in the sector and tests by Japan have initiated an “arms race in the East Asia region”.
China and Russia on the other hand have already deployed hypersonic missiles that can carry nuclear warheads. The “AUKUS pact between Australia, the US, and the UK has made references to hypersonic technologies” due to specificities like altitude dynamics, maneuverability, and speed that challenge exiting missiles and defence systems.
The USA has developed hypersonic missile technology to challenge Russia and ‘counter China’s anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) systems. Both states countered the USA’s military superiority in Ukraine and the South China Sea, Taiwan Strait, and the East China Sea via an anti-ship, anti-air counter-capability.
There are five reasons that these emerging technologies can threaten global peace and security. First, the ballistic missile flies above the earth's surface and is easier to track but a hypersonic missile can beneath 60,000 feet making it difficult to track. Hypersonic missiles can maneuver defense systems and adjust course on route which makes it unstoppable. The hypersonic weapons have already challenged the current defense systems in the world i.e. the Iron Dome (Israel), THAAD (USA), David Sling (Israel-USA), Arrow 2 (Israel), Arrow 3 (Israel), Patriot MIM 104 (USA), S400 (Russia). None of these systems have been found productive in countering hypersonic missiles.
Second, Hypersonic weapons have potentially altered the balance of power in the world as there are no constructive countermeasures available to neutralize them. It is believed that “the THAAD defense system of the US could intercept” hypersonic missiles. Russia has already used a hypersonic missile (Kinzhal Missile) against Ukraine to undermine the military potential of Ukraine and its NATO allies. Russia also became the first country to use a hypersonic weapon in battle via the launch of “the Oreshnik hypersonic” missile against Ukraine smashing American supremacy. And brought the balance of power in its favor by highlighting that it has more powerful weapons than the USA and its NATO allies.
Third, these missiles have made the escalations more likely as countries with hypersonic are challenging each other. Recently Russian President Putin proposed a “missile duel” to challenge the military superiority of the USA and its allies in Ukraine by choosing tests to showcase the destructive capability of Russia by defeating the US defensive system via the Oreshnik hypersonic missile, which can carry nuclear weapons as well. President Putin remarked that “his country is ready for such experiments” his Ukrainian counterpart President Zelensky considers these tests as “crazy experiments” as “two global powers engage in the direct testing of their ammunition”. This risks the entire European continent's security and makes it difficult for conflicting parties to come to the table for a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict.
Fourth, hypersonic missiles are difficult to track and can change their trajectory making it hard to predict their course. These missiles travel faster than the speed of sound and according to a report these missiles are ‘undetectable’ meaning “cannot be tracked by any satellite reconnaissance”. Therefore, the time for decision-making will be very short in future warfare.
Fifth, the global nuclear balance has been disturbed by the presence of hypersonic weapons. Nations are now challenging each other for tests as noticed in the recent statement by Russian President Putin for the Oreshnik missile to establish superiority over American deterrence. Such challenges mark the requirement for changes in the nuclear doctrine of countries throughout the world.
Worldwide there are trends to develop hypersonic weapons, leading to a global arms race. The Hollywood depiction of warfare is becoming a reality. The world is witnessing a technology-run, technology-driven, and technology-dominant era. This also makes the requirement of quick decision-making with responsible actions as future wars are going to be way faster and more dangerous. Rising global dependence on technology may pose a major risk to international security.
Dr. Devender Kumar is Assistant Professor at the Center of Excellence for Geopolitics and International Studies (CEGIS), REVA University
