12 August 2017

News Report: Japan Mulls Adding Extra PAC-3 Interceptors to Stop Guam-Bound Missiles

A Japanese Patriot (PAC-3) Missile Defense system
Japan is considering bringing in more Patriot PAC-3 air defense missile systems to shield its territory from North Korean missiles heading for the US island of Guam, local media said Friday.

TOKYO (Sputnik) — North Korea said this week it was examining a plan of a ballistic missile strike near Guam, which hosts several US military bases. The projectiles will travel over the Japanese prefectures of Shimane, Hirosima and Kochi.

Japan’s territory is protected by 34 short-range PAC-3 systems. They are stationed in densely populated areas and do not cover the three said prefectures. Additional interceptor systems would plug those gaps, the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper said.

Authorities are also considering deploying more destroyers equipped with Aegis missile defense systems. Aegis combat systems can destroy short- to medium-range ballistic missiles.

This story first appeared on Sputnik & is reposted here with permission.