TOKYO (AP) - The United States plans to deploy Patriot Advanced Capability 3 missiles in southern Japan by the end of the year, a local newspaper reported Monday. The PAC-3 is designed to intercept and destroy incoming missiles and aircraft.The U.S. government notified Japan earlier this month that it will deploy PAC-3 missiles at its Kadena Air Base or its ammunition storage area on the southern island of Okinawa, Japan's largest newspaper, Yomiuri Shimbun, reported. The U.S. military also plans to deploy an additional 500-600 American troops to Okinawa, along with an expected three to four PAC-3 missiles batteries, Yomiuri said, quoting unidentified sources.
| I'm beginning to get the idea that someone thinks the PAC-3 is going to work ... |
Growing concerns about a potential North Korean missile launch also prompted the United States to move up its planned test of missile-detecting radar in northern Japan to as early as Monday, Kyodo News agency reported. The test run of the high-resolution radar, capable of detecting incoming missiles, was initially scheduled to begin later in the summer. But the plan was apparently moved up amid growing concerns that Pyongyang could test a missile in a matter of days, Kyodo News agency reported on Sunday, quoting an unidentified U.S. official in Washington.
The so-called X-Band radar had been transferred to Japanese Air Self-Defense Force's Shariki base in Tsugaru in northern Japan from the U.S. military's Misawa Air Base in Misawa, the Defense Agency said. Tsugaru is 360 miles northeast of Tokyo.
Japanese Defense Agency officials were not immediately available for comment.