The intention of the interceptor missile system is to shield the continental U.S. from a limited nuclear attack. “Limited” is the key word here because the total number of interceptor missiles is forty-four. As of early 2024, Russia has 1,674 deployed nuclear weapons, the majority of which are on ready-for-launch status. (China has a stockpile of more than 500; Pakistan and India each have around 165; North Korea has around 50.) With forty-four missiles in its entire inventory, the U.S. interceptor program is mostly for show.
