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US to boost nuclear missile defences, to counter North Korea US to boost nuclear missile defences to counter North Korea
(35 minutes later)
US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel has announced plans to boost missile defences on the US West Coast to counter the threat from North Korea.US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel has announced plans to boost missile defences on the US West Coast to counter the threat from North Korea.
He said the US would add 14 interceptors, which can shoot down missiles in flight, to 30 already in place in California and Alaska by 2017.He said the US would add 14 interceptors, which can shoot down missiles in flight, to 30 already in place in California and Alaska by 2017.
Mr Hagel cited a "series of irresponsible and reckless provocations" recently by North Korea.Mr Hagel cited a "series of irresponsible and reckless provocations" recently by North Korea.
Tensions have risen after Pyongyang's third nuclear test last month.Tensions have risen after Pyongyang's third nuclear test last month.
Only last week North Korea, which is known for its fiery rhetoric, threatened the US with a pre-emptive nuclear strike. Only last week North Korea threatened the US with a pre-emptive nuclear strike.
However, analysts say that the isolated country's missiles do not have the capability to reach the continental United States. But despite the isolated country's latest fiery rhetoric, analysts say the regime is years away from producing a missile with the capability to reach the continental United States.
In a speech on Tuesday, James Miller, defence undersecretary for policy, noted that the Pentagon had the ability to deploy the additional missile interceptors "if needed". "The US has missile defences to protect us from limited ICBM [Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile] attacks," Mr Hagel told Friday's press conference.
He did not say in that speech that a decision had been reached to do so. "But North Korea in particular has recently made advances in its capabilities and has engaged in a series of irresponsible and reckless provocations."
"As we think about our homeland missile-defence posture, we do not have a 'just-in-time' policy,'' Mr Miller said. The defence secretary said the US would also deploy a radar-tracking station in Japan.
"Our policy is to stay ahead of the threat, and to continue to ensure that we are ahead of any potential future Iranian or North Korean ICBM capability.'' Mr Hagel continued: "The reason we're doing what we're doing, and the reason we're advancing our programme here for homeland security is not taking any chances, is to stay ahead of the threat and to ensure any contingencies."
He added "North Korea's shrill public pronouncements" underlined the need for the US to continue to develop defensive capabilities. The Pentagon chief said the additional 14 interceptors would be deployed to Fort Greely, in the US state of Alaska.
When asked about the failure of a test of the interceptors, Mr Hagel said further tests would be carried out this year.
"We have confidence in our system," he said, "and we certainly will not go forward with the addition of the 14 interceptors until we're sure we have the complete confidence we need."