Article Posted on : - Sep 19, 2008

HONG KONG (BNS): Japan has become the only foreign country to test the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) interceptor system developed by the United States. PAC-3 is a surface-to-air missile system capable of tracking and shooting down incoming ballistic missiles.

Representatives of Japanese air force took part in the tests at White Sands in New Mexico, during which the ground based interceptor missiles successfully intercepted an airborne missile from a distance of 120 kilometers. The Japanese defence ministry has confirmed the exercise on Thursday, coming just as report of North Korea developing a new missile engine, emerge.

The test was significant as "it proved that Japan's missile defence system will function effectively," a spokesman for the Japanese defence ministry said.

Japan has been working towards creating its own missile shield starting 1998, after North Korea fired ballistic missiles over Japan and kicked up global fears of the recluse nation's intentions. Late last year, a Japanese navy destroyer is believed to have shot down a missile in an exercise with the US forces.

Japan is hoping to complete its ballistic missile defense system by 2011.

According to publically available reports, this would have extensive American assistance including PAC-3 systems deployed in almost a dozen different sites.