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Unit 7Missiles
All chapters
  1. 1. Introduction
  2. 2. The technical side of missiles
  3. 3. The strategic side of missiles
  4. 4. The political side of missiles
  5. 5. Outlook
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The Dutch frigate De Zeven Provinciën (F802) fires an AGM-84 Harpoon

Above: The Dutch frigate De Zeven Provinciën (F802) fires an AGM-84 Harpoon

Dutch Ministry of Defence CC0 1.0/Wikimedia

Missiles

This unit provides a comprehensive analysis of missile systems, encompassing technical specifications, strategic implications, and political ramifications. It examines proliferation dynamics, including dual-use technologies and the evolving landscape of missile development.

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Chapters

  1. 1. Introduction

    This unit provides a comprehensive analysis of missile systems, encompassing technical specifications, strategic implications, and political ramifications. It examines proliferation dynamics, including dual-use technologies and the evolving landscape of missile development.

  2. 2. The technical side of missiles

    Missiles 101

  3. 3. The strategic side of missiles

    Military interests, proliferation and missile defence

  4. 4. The political side of missiles

    Restrictions and limitations

  5. 5. Outlook

    The future of missile proliferation

Learning Objectives

Learning objectives

This learning unit introduces technical, strategic and political aspects of missiles. It covers:

  • a comprehensive technical overview of different missile types, particularly ballistic missiles, boost-glide vehicles, rocket artillery, cruise missiles and long-range one-way attack drones
  • strategic issues, including missile procurement, missile proliferation and missile defence
  • political concerns, focusing on efforts to restrict both vertical and horizontal proliferation of missiles
  • the future of missile proliferation, highlighting the role of dual-use goods and novel industrial actors in missile technology space

Credits

  • Fabian Hoffmann profile image

    Fabian Hoffmann

    Oslo Nuclear Forum/Oslo University

    Fabian Hoffmann is a Doctoral Research Fellow at the Oslo Nuclear Project (ONP) at the University of Oslo. His research focuses on missile technology, nuclear strategy and defence policy. His PhD project addresses the implications of conventional long-range strike weapons on nuclear strategy.

    Fabian’s research has been published in the Journal of Strategic Studies, European Security, War on the Rocks and The Washington Post, among others. He frequently contributes to the national and international news, providing commentary for both print and broadcast media.

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Disclosures

Content Warning

This learning unit may contain audio-visual material or texts, which may not be suitable for all audiences.

Funding

This Learning Unit was produced with financial assistance from the European Union. The contents of this Learning Unit are however the sole responsibility of the author(s) and should under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union.

External Links

The site may contain hyperlink text references (’Links’) to other sites that are offered by third parties. These Links are made available solely for the purpose of information and as an additional service for users. Only the respective operator is responsible for all content and statements on linked Internet sites. Therefore, PRIF cannot guarantee the correctness and accuracy or any other aspect of third party sites.

Preferred Citation

Fabian Hoffmann, "Missiles" in EUNPDC eLearning, ed. Niklas Schörnig, Peace Research Institute Frankfurt. Available at https://eunpdc-elearning.netlify.app/lu-07/, last modified 5 May 2025

Editorial Note

This is a beta version of the learning unit, which is regularly optimised. Please report any factual errors or discrepancies to the publisher. (support(at)nonproliferation-elearning.eu). Please note that although the original text was written by the authors, the video production and simplifications were carried out by PRIF.

The EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament eLearning Course aims to cover all aspects of the EU non-proliferation and disarmament agenda. It's produced by PRIF with financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of individual learning units are the sole responsibility of the respective authors and don't necessariy reflect the position of the European Union.