Urgent project: Guam missile defense system will take a decade to complete

Final environmental impact statement now available

By Mar-Vic Cagurangan

While the proposed Guam missile defense system is considered an urgent project in response to the “rapidly evolving threats” in the region, it will take 10 years to complete its construction and deployment, according to the Department of Defense.

“Currently, U.S. forces are capable of defending Guam against today's regional ballistic missile threats. However, regional missile threats to Guam continue to increase and advance technologically, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command identified a requirement for a 360-degree (enhanced integrated air and missile defense) system on Guam as soon as possible to address the rapid evolution of adversary missile threats,” the DOD said in a notice published in the Federal Register today.

The DOD’s notice announced the availability of the final environmental impact statement, which includes “an analysis of the potential environmental impacts that may result from the proposed construction, deployment and operations and maintenance of the EIAMD system,” along with corresponding mitigation measures.

The Record of Decision will be issued 30 days after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency publishes its own notice in the Federal Register.

“If the decision is made to proceed with the proposed action, site preparation and construction would span approximately 10 years beginning in 2025,” the DOD said.

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The project consists of mobile components including missile defense radars, sensors, missile launchers and missile interceptors and command and control systems, which will be strategically located and integrated across multiple sites on Guam.

The Missile Defense Agency and the U.S. Army have identified 16 proposed sites on military-owned properties for operating and maintaining the missile defense system.

“A limited number of the proposed sites would require real estate actions on non-DOD properties for access, or where safety zone arcs encroach on non-DOD properties,” the DOD notice states.

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“The EIAMD operational capability would be phased in as each site completes construction, testing and final system checks of the installed components. Following final construction, testing and final system-wide checks, the EIAMD system would become fully operational.”

Some components of the project have been awarded, including a $295 million contract given to Core Tech-HDCC-Kajima LLC this month for the construction of a command center. The project, located at Joint Region Marianas, is expected to be completed by March 2029.

Also this month, the MDA awarded an $8.86 million contract to Lockheed Martin Corp. for the initial test of the Aegis Guam system, which the company is commissioned to build under its existing Missile Defense Weapon Systems contract issued in 2023.

“This EIS release demonstrates that the Department of Defense is dedicated to transparency and protection of habitats as we bring together advanced missile defense technologies to defend the U.S. homeland on Guam," said U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Brett Mietus, commander of the Joint Region Marianas.  

Dubbed the “tip of the military spear,” Guam plays a crucial role in the U.S. military's power posture in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly in countering China’s military ambitions and aggressive behavior.

China's aggression raises global alarm and triggers anxiety in the region.

Throughout the month of May, China deployed two aircraft carrier groups and dozens of ships in waters around Taiwan. 

In September last year, the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force launched an intercontinental ballistic missile, carrying a dummy warhead to the high seas in the Pacific Ocean.

“Within the context of homeland defense, Guam is a key strategic location for sustaining and maintaining U.S. capabilities, deterring adversaries, responding to crises, and maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the DOD said. “As a U.S. territory, an attack on Guam would be considered a direct attack on the U.S. and would be met with an appropriate response.”

The final EIS was the culmination of "years of data gathering, analysis, stakeholder engagement and public involvement," the DOD said.

The 75-day comment period for the draft EIS, which began on Oct. 25, 2024 and ended on Jan. 8, netted over a hundred submissions.

Some questioned the effectiveness of missile defense, while others opposed the project altogether, suggesting

that the U.S. "work with China diplomatically" instead.

Some residents questioned the adequacy of the site planning process and reasonable alternatives. Others noted that the draft EIS "only addressed peacetime operations" and "lacked oversight from independent or third-party institutions."

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