Missile Defense Project
Authoritative analysis on missile defense and related issues
The Missile Defense Project at CSIS looks at a wide range of policy, program, and strategic issues related to missile defense. Technological and geopolitical factors have driven increased global supply and demand for high-velocity, unmanned, missile-based weapons and their corresponding counters. Besides more recognized cruise and ballistic missile threats, global missile proliferation now consists of a spectrum including precision-guided rockets, anti-ship missiles, air defenses, hypersonic delivery systems, and counterspace weapons.
Contact Information
- Shaan Shaikh
- Deputy Director and Fellow, Missile Defense Project
- sshaikh@csis.org
Media Queries
- H. Andrew Schwartz
- Chief Communications Officer
- 202.775.3242
- aschwartz@csis.org
- Samuel Cestari
- Media Relations Coordinator, External Relations
- 202.775.7317
- scestari@csis.org
Featured Analysis
![Photo: YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/GETTY IMAGES](https://csis-website-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/styles/500_x_300/s3/2023-04/GettyImages-1240229270.jpg?VersionId=ZM_JKjQR3cdRQ.y8EwGY96PZW22kjimu&h=e83bf42d&itok=u9JsXLcU)
Photo: YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
Putin’s Missile War
This CSIS report explores Russia’s evolving missile campaign against Ukraine from the opening days of the invasion to present day, the sources of Russian underperformance, and the specific missile systems Russia has deployed.
Report by Ian Williams — May 5, 2023
Past Events
![Photo: Sgt Mark Webster RLC/MOD via Wikimedia © OGL v1.0](https://csis-website-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/styles/360x216/s3/2024-01/240118_Starstreak_cropped.jpg?VersionId=co2Cvd_oqunKXPNb7FCHb3GTCVzdSHCm&h=266da715&itok=HHjCBf5d)
The Arms of the Future: A Book Talk with Jack Watling
![Photo: Missile Defense Program/CSIS](https://csis-website-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/styles/360x216/s3/2023-12/231212_Hypersonic_Defense_Banner_Crop1.jpg?VersionId=HnUCqG3DXtkIhSYEyoXnibWDzOxB9W1T&h=266da715&itok=nogZpClA)
Getting on Track: Space and Airborne Sensors for Hypersonic Missile Defense
![82nd Airborne Division Paratrooper train on c-UAS](https://csis-website-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/styles/360x216/s3/2023-11/231114_Countering_UAS.jpg?VersionId=JR2HvbwRfSTjlVn1ACYfWOVN39bU8.gC&h=47ea0187&itok=OY70X5qW)
Countering Uncrewed Aerial Systems: A Conversation with General Sean Gainey
Strategic Landpower Dialogue: A Conversation with General James Dickinson
![A Stryker vehicle crosses a temporary floating bridge during "wet gap" training.](https://csis-website-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/styles/360x216/s3/2023-10/Flynn Banner Image.jpeg?VersionId=W6TgeqrmkaHAlPmC7UA.QgtDR4V7JTou&h=79dbda5e&itok=HZnDcCd-)
Strategic Landpower Dialogue: A Conversation with General Charles Flynn
![Photo: U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Oscar Gollaz](https://csis-website-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/styles/360x216/s3/2023-09/230907_Landpower_Dialogue_Banner_Crop1.jpg?VersionId=8y9Mfit.beSdj73WPmbpqf4cWn2.kU1m&h=266da715&itok=x4oPNT9a)
Strategic Landpower Dialogue: A Conversation with Secretary Christine Wormuth & General Randy George
![A Dutch-German Air and Missile Defense Task Force deploys Patriots in Slovakia in April 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.](https://csis-website-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/styles/360x216/s3/2023-09/NATO Patriot.jpg?VersionId=VWAJpQUriAh6u.ZggEJ6ZD1JESZZpgRX&h=345465ec&itok=5wwP0VXv)
Integration of the U.S. Missile Defense Enterprise
![Photo: MDA/IMDO](https://csis-website-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/styles/360x216/s3/2023-05/Arrow-3TestAlaskaJuly2019_cropped_0.jpg?VersionId=7wuz8I_rsmio4iuCEOHNY8mq5_idckW.&h=266da715&itok=ti0Y0wh8)
Missile Defense in Israel: A Conversation with Moshe Patel
In the News
Philippines, Japan near long-range missile milestones as they arm up for China
Tom Karako in Breaking Defense — March 15, 2024
The Cat-and-Mouse Game of Preventing Drone Nightmares
Shaan Shaikh in The Cipher Brief — March 6, 2024
Houthi Red Sea strikes kill first sailors, as ballistic missile threat proliferates
Shaan Shaikh in Breaking Defense — March 6, 2024
Shift in Russian Tactics Intensifies Air War in Ukraine
Tom Karako in The New York Times — March 5, 2024
Israel under pressure to justify its use of AI in Gaza
Shaan Shaikh in Politico — March 3, 2024
High-tech warheads turn Israel’s dumb bombs into precision weapons
Shaan Shaikh in The Telegraph — March 2, 2024
Houthi fight extracts heavy cost from Pentagon
Wes Rumbaugh in The Hill — March 2, 2024
Spice Kits: How Israel Transforms “Dumb” Bombs Into Smart Bombs | WSJ Equipped
Shaan Shaikh in The Wall Street Journal — February 24, 2024
All Missile Defense Project Content
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Strategic Landpower Dialogue: A Conversation with General Christopher Cavoli
Event — April 5, 2024
“Cost and Value in Air and Missile Defense Intercepts”: Audio Brief with Wes Rumbaugh
Podcast Episode by Wes Rumbaugh — February 14, 2024
![Audio Briefs](https://csis-website-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/styles/180x180/s3/2023-07/230705_audio_briefs_banner.jpg?VersionId=BCCzWslp4NXp1__pO0608S4PTkjNlctp&h=d2149e18&itok=U281Xi4u)
Cost and Value in Air and Missile Defense Intercepts
Commentary by Wes Rumbaugh — February 13, 2024
The Arms of the Future: A Book Talk with Jack Watling
Event — January 24, 2024
Getting on Track: Space and Airborne Sensors for Hypersonic Missile Defense
Event — December 18, 2023
Getting on Track: Space and Airborne Sensors for Hypersonic Missile Defense
Report by Masao Dahlgren — December 18, 2023
“Getting On Track: Space and Airborne Sensors for Hypersonic Missile Defense”: Audio Brief with Masao Dahlgren
Podcast Episode by Masao Dahlgren — December 18, 2023
![Audio Briefs](https://csis-website-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/styles/180x180/s3/2023-07/230705_audio_briefs_banner.jpg?VersionId=BCCzWslp4NXp1__pO0608S4PTkjNlctp&h=d2149e18&itok=U281Xi4u)
Countering Uncrewed Aerial Systems: A Conversation with General Sean Gainey
Event — November 14, 2023
Countering Small Uncrewed Aerial Systems
Report by Shaan Shaikh, Tom Karako, and Michelle McLoughlin — November 14, 2023
“Countering Small Uncrewed Aerial Systems”: Audio Brief with Shaan Shaikh
Podcast Episode by Shaan Shaikh — November 14, 2023
![Audio Briefs](https://csis-website-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/styles/180x180/s3/2023-07/230705_audio_briefs_banner.jpg?VersionId=BCCzWslp4NXp1__pO0608S4PTkjNlctp&h=d2149e18&itok=U281Xi4u)