Japanese Defense Ministry to study new missile defense systems

The Defense Ministry will conduct full-fledged studies on new missile defense systems that would better equip Japan to intercept North Korean ballistic missiles, officials said.

The ministry has started consultations with the United States on introducing the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system and a ground-based version of the Standard Missile-3 interceptors mounted on Aegis destroyers, according to the officials.

Currently, the Self-Defense Forces employs a two-stage system to intercept ballistic missiles. In the first phase, Aegis ships launch SM-3 missiles to destroy in outer space a missile or its debris believed to be targeted at Japan. If that fails, the ground-based Patriot Advance Capability-3 surface-to-air missile system is used for interception.

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