Japan, U.S. Mull Faster Missile Defense Deployment

Japanese and U.S. officials are considering deploying an advanced early warning radar missile defense system in Japan earlier than scheduled, Jiji Press reported yesterday (see GSN, Aug. 24).

The system, consisting of the radar, ground-based Patriot Advanced Capability 3 interceptors and sea-based Standard Missile 3 missiles, is now scheduled to be in place by fiscal 2011. The radar system is expected to be installed between fiscal 2008 and 2011, with the missiles deployed in 2006 and 2007, according to Jiji.

Officials now hope the system can be put in place one or two years early.

To speed up deployment, the advanced warning radar system would be installed earlier and supplemented by a radar system still in development. Deployment of the missiles would also be moved up, Jiji reported.

Japan’s Defense Agency is expected to seek money to speed up the program in its fiscal 2006 budget (Jiji Press, Aug. 24).

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