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| THAAD test launching an interceptor missile |
Japan is considering beefing up its ballistic missile defense (BMD) capability in response to the four North Korean missiles launched toward Japan on March 6.
With three of the four missiles landing in Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the government may aim to introduce a sophisticated multi-layered BMD system that would be able to cope more effectively with any future missile launches.
Currently, Japan's BMD system consists of two main parts: Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) SM3 interceptor missiles carried on Aegis destroyers, and PAC-3 (Patriot) ground-based interceptor missiles.
However, the current BMD system is considered to be insufficient by some. In response to the latest missile launch, one senior government official commented, "In my opinion, the system that we have now is simply not robust enough. I am not sure that we would be able to cope in the future with just this two-tier BMD system."
As Japan looks toward reinforcing its BMD capability, the government is currently debating whether to opt for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missiles or an "Aegis Ashore" system of land-based radar and SM3 missiles.
Read the full story at The Mainichi