PROLIFERATION OF BALLISTIC AND CRUISE MISSILES, AN INCREASING THREAT UPON THE EASTERN EUROPEAN’S OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

The threat posed by the proliferation of ballistic and cruise missiles to NATO states and forces in Europe has become an intensely debated topic recently, especially amid the US exit from the Nuclear Forces Treaty and the relaunch of a new arms race especially due to some states’ desire to reaffirm themselves as regional and world military powers, states that have repeatedly shown their willingness to use military force, including the available arsenals of missiles, in order to achieve their objectives. This real threat is supported by the ballistic and cruise missile development programs carried out by states such as Russia and Iran, countries that consider the US and NATO as the main threats to their security. Keywords: ballistic missiles; cruise missiles; threat; operational environment.