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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| US anti-missile system 'operational' in South Korea | US anti-missile system 'operational' in South Korea |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The US military says its controversial Thaad missile defence system is "operational" in South Korea. | The US military says its controversial Thaad missile defence system is "operational" in South Korea. |
| A spokesman said the system was now able to intercept North Korean missiles and defend the South. | A spokesman said the system was now able to intercept North Korean missiles and defend the South. |
| But officials have told reporters that full operational capability is still some months away. | But officials have told reporters that full operational capability is still some months away. |
| Tensions have been rising around the Korean peninsula, with repeated threats from North Korea and the presence of a group of US warships and a submarine. | Tensions have been rising around the Korean peninsula, with repeated threats from North Korea and the presence of a group of US warships and a submarine. |
| On Monday, two US bombers took part in a joint drill with South Korea's air force in what the US said was a routine operation. | On Monday, two US bombers took part in a joint drill with South Korea's air force in what the US said was a routine operation. |
| Thaad, which stands for Terminal High Altitude Area Defence, was installed last week at a former golf course in the central county of Seongju, amid angry protests. | Thaad, which stands for Terminal High Altitude Area Defence, was installed last week at a former golf course in the central county of Seongju, amid angry protests. |
| Many locals believe the system is a potential target for attacks and endangers the lives of those living nearby. | Many locals believe the system is a potential target for attacks and endangers the lives of those living nearby. |
| China has also protested - it believes the system's radar range could interfere with the security of its own military operations. | |
| A spokesman for the US forces based in South Korea said Thaad was now "operational and has the ability to intercept North Korean missiles and defend the Republic of Korea". | A spokesman for the US forces based in South Korea said Thaad was now "operational and has the ability to intercept North Korean missiles and defend the Republic of Korea". |
| But a US defence official told AFP news agency that the system currently only has "initial intercept capability" which would be beefed up later this year as more parts of the system arrive. | But a US defence official told AFP news agency that the system currently only has "initial intercept capability" which would be beefed up later this year as more parts of the system arrive. |
| North Korea and the US have traded heated rhetoric in recent weeks as Pyongyang continues to defy a UN ban on missile tests. | North Korea and the US have traded heated rhetoric in recent weeks as Pyongyang continues to defy a UN ban on missile tests. |
| It has carried out two failed missile launches in recent weeks and has said it is ready to carry out its sixth nuclear test at any time. | |
| What is the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System (Thaad)? | What is the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System (Thaad)? |
| What impact will S Korea's expanded missile defence system have? | What impact will S Korea's expanded missile defence system have? |
| 1. The enemy launches a missile | 1. The enemy launches a missile |
| 2. The Thaad radar system detects the launch, which is relayed to command and control | 2. The Thaad radar system detects the launch, which is relayed to command and control |
| 3. Thaad command and control instructs the launch of an interceptor missile | 3. Thaad command and control instructs the launch of an interceptor missile |
| 4. The interceptor missile is fired at the enemy projectile | 4. The interceptor missile is fired at the enemy projectile |
| 5. The enemy projectile is destroyed in the terminal phase of flight | 5. The enemy projectile is destroyed in the terminal phase of flight |
| The launcher trucks can hold up to eight interceptor missiles. | The launcher trucks can hold up to eight interceptor missiles. |