ID :
48096
Fri, 02/27/2009 - 22:33
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/48096
The shortlink copeid
Defense chief serves notice to N. Korea against missile launch+
TOKYO, Feb. 27 Kyodo - Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada suggested Friday that Japan might shoot down a North Korean ballistic missile with its ballistic missile shield if the missile is coming toward Japan.
''The Defense Ministry has long been considering such a thing (intercepting a
North Korean ballistic missile),'' Hamada told a news conference. ''It's not
something we have to comment on in one way or another just because we have a
situation like this now.''
His comments came after Pyongyang's announcement Tuesday that full-fledged
preparations are under way to launch an experimental communications satellite,
stirring concerns that North Korea may be preparing to launch an improved
version of its Taepodong-2 intermediate-range ballistic missile.
''We will steadily do what we have done,'' the minister also said, adding that
Tokyo is continuing to collect information on developments.
Asked if Japan's fledgling ballistic missile shield is capable of intercepting
an incoming missile, Hamada simply said, ''As you already know what we have
done up to now, we are doing what we have always been doing.''
In August 1998, when North Korea fired what is believed to have been a
Taepodong-1 missile, part of which flew over Japan and into the Pacific Ocean,
Pyongyang claimed it had successfully test-launched a satellite.
In July 2006, North Korea test-fired missiles, including what is believed to be
a longer-range Taepodong-2 in a move that drew condemnation from its neighbors.
Spurred by these developments, Japan has been developing a two-layer missile
shield to detect, track and intercept ballistic missiles in space with the help
of ground and seaborne radar before they hit targets on the ground.
The Standard Missile-3 interceptor launched from an Aegis destroyer covers the
upper range of the shield and is designed to intercept incoming missiles
outside of the earth's atmosphere.
The ground-based Patriot Advanced Capability 3, which is responsible for the
lower range of the shield, is designed to intercept incoming missiles missed by
the SM-3.
==Kyodo
2009-02-27 22:58:49
''The Defense Ministry has long been considering such a thing (intercepting a
North Korean ballistic missile),'' Hamada told a news conference. ''It's not
something we have to comment on in one way or another just because we have a
situation like this now.''
His comments came after Pyongyang's announcement Tuesday that full-fledged
preparations are under way to launch an experimental communications satellite,
stirring concerns that North Korea may be preparing to launch an improved
version of its Taepodong-2 intermediate-range ballistic missile.
''We will steadily do what we have done,'' the minister also said, adding that
Tokyo is continuing to collect information on developments.
Asked if Japan's fledgling ballistic missile shield is capable of intercepting
an incoming missile, Hamada simply said, ''As you already know what we have
done up to now, we are doing what we have always been doing.''
In August 1998, when North Korea fired what is believed to have been a
Taepodong-1 missile, part of which flew over Japan and into the Pacific Ocean,
Pyongyang claimed it had successfully test-launched a satellite.
In July 2006, North Korea test-fired missiles, including what is believed to be
a longer-range Taepodong-2 in a move that drew condemnation from its neighbors.
Spurred by these developments, Japan has been developing a two-layer missile
shield to detect, track and intercept ballistic missiles in space with the help
of ground and seaborne radar before they hit targets on the ground.
The Standard Missile-3 interceptor launched from an Aegis destroyer covers the
upper range of the shield and is designed to intercept incoming missiles
outside of the earth's atmosphere.
The ground-based Patriot Advanced Capability 3, which is responsible for the
lower range of the shield, is designed to intercept incoming missiles missed by
the SM-3.
==Kyodo
2009-02-27 22:58:49
