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.  

About the Missile Defense Project

Learn more about the Missile Defense Project and the network of experts, staff, and non-resident affiliates who contribute to our analysis.

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Photo: CSIS Missile Defense Project

Photo: CSIS Missile Defense Project

Getting on Track: Space and Airborne Sensors for Hypersonic Missile Defense

The Department of Defense is racing to build a constellation of satellites for tracking elusive hypersonic missiles. As these first satellites enter orbit, how should policymakers measure success? In a new report, CSIS unpacks the tradeoffs involved and pitfalls to avoid.

Report by Masao Dahlgren — December 18, 2023

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Photo: CSIS

Photo: CSIS

The Cost of Deterrence

May 6, 2025 • 4:30 – 5:00 pm EDT
Video On Demand
Hosted by Defense and Security
Photo: Army photo by Capt. Adan Cazarez

Photo: Army photo by Capt. Adan Cazarez

The Defense of Guam

July 30, 2024 • 1:45 – 2:45 pm EDT
Video On Demand
Hosted by International Security Program

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Long-Range Strike Systems

Missile Threat

Missile Threat brings together a wide range of information and analysis relating to the proliferation of cruise and ballistic missiles around the world and the air and missile defense systems designed to defeat them.

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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

Missile Defense at 40

Please join the CSIS Missile Defense Project and the Ronald Reagan Institute for a daylong conference on the past and future of missile defense.

Event — March 24, 2023

Patriot to Ukraine: What Does It Mean?

The United States' plans to send Patriot air and missile defenses to Ukraine demonstrates a strong political commitment to defend Ukraine and modestly improves Ukrainian air defense, but incurs costs on U.S. air defense capacity and readiness.

Critical Questions by Mark F. Cancian and Tom Karako — December 16, 2022

The 2022 Missile Defense Review

The CSIS Missile Defense Project hosted a conversation on the newly released Missile Defense Review with Dr. John F. Plumb, assistant secretary of defense for space policy.

Transcript — November 14, 2022

The 2022 Missile Defense Review

CSIS Missile Defense Project conversation on the newly released Missile Defense Review with Dr. John F. Plumb, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy.

Event — November 4, 2022

Homeland Missile Defense: Staying the Course

For much of the past 20 years, a consensus has existed across Republican and Democratic administrations and Congresses about fielding national missile defenses to counter unpredictable nuclear-armed regimes like North Korea and, potentially, Iran. Before walking away from this, there are a number of considerations to make that inform the case for sustaining and improving homeland missile defense as North Korean missile threats increase.

Commentary — October 27, 2022

The Truth of the Matter

Russia’s Missile Plan

CSIS’s Tom Karako joins the podcast to discuss Russia’s missile arsenal, what they are prepared to do with it, and the implications of Iran’s role.

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Tom Karako — October 21, 2022

CSIS the truth of the matter