EMP hardening as a strategic burden

Hardening can reduce vulnerability to EMP, but it adds weight, layout constraints, and cost; it does not make electronics immune to every possible pulse. This burden can matter strategically even if an EMP weapon is never fired, because an opponent must devote mass and design margin to protection. In the hypothetical missile comparison, a two-ton weapon that spends 100 kilograms on hardening has less weight left for range or explosive power. A Carrington-scale solar event illustrates the extreme vulnerability of a highly electrified society. Naval readiness also depends on civilian fuel, transport, communications, power, and repair systems that could be immobilised far beyond an immediate blast area.