Regional Missile Defense: DOD's 2014 Report Generally Addressed Required Reporting Elements, but Excluded Additional Key Details

Abstract : Regional BMD constitutes an essential element in deterring enemies from using ballistic missiles and supporting defense commitments to U.S. allies and partners. DOD s 2010 Ballistic Missile Defense Review Report noted that the United States would pursue phased, tailored, and adaptive approaches to regional BMD in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, and the Middle East. A provision in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2014 mandated DOD to submit within 180 days a report to the congressional defense committees on eight elements related to the status and progress of regional BMD programs and efforts. The Joint Explanatory Statement accompanying the NDAA mandated that GAO provide its views on DOD s report. Separately, GAO was requested to provide its results in a written, publicly releasable form. This report assesses the extent to which DOD s report addressed the required reporting elements and provides views on other key information, if any, that DOD could have included in the report. GAO used a scorecard methodology to compare the required reporting elements to the information in DOD s BMD report. Further, GAO reviewed the 2010 Ballistic Missile Defense Review Report, combatant commander integrated priority lists, and other DOD documents and policy, and interviewed DOD officials to gain further insight on DOD s regional BMD efforts. Because DOD prepared its report in response to a nonrecurring mandate, GAO is not making recommendations.