Balistyczne pociski rakietowe teatru działań : wirtualne czy rzeczywiste zagrożenie dla bezpieczeństwa międzynarodowego?

The aim of the following article is to explain the essence of threats created by ballistic missiles, which - as it is well known - are intensively modernized by the countries called „unstable” and to outline implications for democratic countries resulting from this situation. The Authors created a classification of ballistic missiles, with a special emphasis on the importance and combat capabilities of the so called theatre missiles. They briefly explained the evolution of those unusually dangerous means of air assault. Analyzing the modernization programs realized by the „rogue states”, whose principal goal is to increase the range of their operation, they took note of the existing technical (technological) problems, which question the credibility of the achieved results. Despite the negative evaluation of the ballistic programs based on the Russian missiles Scud-B, the Authors emphasized that the threat cannot be underestimated. In their opinion, efforts designed to reduce the threat should be intensified. The improvement of the anti-missile defense system, especially its ground elements comprising anti-aircraft missile sets, should be considered a priority.