ASDF says Patriot missile interceptors ready to be moved again

+

TOKYO, June 5 Kyodo -
Japan's Air Self-Defense Force is ready to deploy its Patriot ballistic missile
interceptors at short notice if it is given an order to do so in connection
with a rumored missile test by North Korea, the top air defense force general
said Friday.
''I believe we are now at the stage of collecting and analyzing intelligence,
but we are making preparations to swiftly deploy (the interceptors) if the
defense minister gives us a deployment order,'' ASDF Chief of Staff Gen.
Kenichiro Hokazono told a news conference.
The general said units capable of firing Patriot Advanced Capability-3 guided
missiles can be moved for deployment within three hours of an order's issuance.
On the possibility that North Korea might test-fire an intercontinental
ballistic missile, Hokazono said, ''We must make preparations on the assumption
that they will do what they said they will.''
After the U.N. Security Council condemned its April 5 rocket launch, North
Korea said it would take ''self-defense measures'' unless the Security Council
apologizes.
The country has since followed through on its threats by conducting a second
underground nuclear test on May 25 and is now believed to be preparing to
test-fire an ICBM.
When the North launched the rocket, PAC-3 units were deployed to northeastern
Japan and areas in and around Tokyo to strike parts of it in case they fell
onto those areas.
The rocket, which the North said was launched to put a satellite into orbit,
flew harmlessly over Japan before falling into the Pacific. No interceptor was
fired then.
Coupled with the sea-launched Standard Missile-3 interceptors, the PAC-3
missiles, which are designed to hit ballistic missiles at low altitude,
constitute the core of the missile shield Japan is building with the help of
the United States.
==Kyodo