Completing the deployment of one of two new U. S.-developed land-based missile defense batteries to protect against North Korean attacks is expected to take
Completing the deployment of one of two new U. S.-developed land-based missile defense batteries to protect against North Korean attacks is expected to take about six years, officials said Monday.
The schedule, as suggested by the U. S. side, for installing an Aegis Ashore missile battery would take one year longer than Japan is planning, and the Defense Ministry is expected to call on Washington to cooperate on a speedier deployment.
Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera told reporters that the two batteries, including Lockheed Martin Corp.’s cutting-edge SSR radar, will together cost ¥268 billion ($2.4 billion).
Onodera said the batteries are vital for Japan’s security as “the threat from North Korea is unchanged.”
“We are not aware of any moves leading North Korea to abandon nuclear weapons and missiles,” Onodera said.
The U. S. side has said about six years will be needed to deploy the first battery after “concluding a contract” with Japan, he said.
The government is considering two Ground Self-Defense Force training areas — in Akita and Yamaguchi prefectures — as candidate sites to install the system. It had sought to complete the first deployment in fiscal 2023. Officials say the two batteries will be able to cover the entire Japanese archipelago.
