USA successfully tests advanced ‘Missile Intercept System’
USA successfully tests advanced ‘Missile Intercept System’ on Sunday.
US plans to install this advanced missile interception system in the Korean peninsula, military officials said following a trial just days after North Korea’s second test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
During the test of the missile interception system called as THAAD system, a medium-range missile was launched from a US Air Force C-17 aircraft flying over the Pacific and a THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) unit in Alaska “detected, tracked and intercepted the target,” the US Missile Defense Agency said.
It said this was the 15th successful intercept in 15 tests for the weapons system known as THAAD.
South Korea on Saturday announced it will speed up the deployment of a THAAD battery on its territory because of the latest North Korean test of an intercontinental ballistic missile.
Parts of the THAAD defense system were brought into South Korea under the government of ousted president Park Geun-Hye but new leader Moon Jae-In suspended deployment of the programme last month, citing the need for a new environmental impact assessment.
However, South Korean Defense Minister Song Young-Moo said Saturday that Seoul will now begin consultations on the “tentative deployment” parts of the THAAD battery in response to the latest North Korean test.