Japan Could Acquire THAAD Antimissile System
Japan has moved to finance an assessment on potentially augmenting its missile-interceptor capabilities with a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System, according to a Tuesday press report quoted by the Kuwait News Agency.
Funds for the possible review could become available during the next Japanese fiscal year, which begins next April, the Japanese Nikkei business daily reported.
The THAAD system reportedly would target an incoming enemy missile after it re-enters the atmosphere, if the nation's existing Aegis missile-defense warships fail to destroy the weapon in space. The island nation already possesses Patriot Advanced Capability 3 interceptors capable of targeting a ballistic missile during its final approach.
