WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- The 2011 U.S. Department of Defense budget contains $1.35 billion for a Ground-Based Midcourse Defense system.
Some specialists say the funding of GBMD is insufficient and should be increased.
Advocates cite the increased threat from possible ballistic missile launches from North Korea and Iran, the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance reported Thursday.
Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance Chairman Riki Ellison said: "''The protection of the United States from the threat of ballistic missile attack is a critical national security priority' was a statement released by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates earlier this year. Secretary Gates' statement was part of the introduction of the Ballistic Missile Defense Review, the Department of Defense's current policy on missile defense.
"That policy lists six priorities, with the No. 1 priority being, 'The United States will continue to defend the homeland against the threat of limited ballistic missile attack.'"
Ellison noted that only 30 Ground-Based Interceptors are deployed, despite the Bush administration having wanted more than 50 GBIs.
