Originally published on April 7, 2014<br /><br />U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has announced plans to deploy two additional anti-ballistic missile ships to Japan by 2017.<br /> <br />North Korea has test fired a series of mid-range missiles in recent months, missiles believed to have a maximum range of 1300 kilometers.<br /><br />In response to North Korean launches, the U.S. says it will deploy two additional missile defense warships to Japan by 2017, bringing the total to seven.<br /> <br />The ships are equipped with AEGIS ballistic missile defense capabilities, which can detect and intercept ballistic missiles."<br /><br />The American defense secretary says the deployment of additional ships is meant to reinforce America's commitment to Japan's security, a nation that already hosts some 50,000 U.S. troops.<br /><br />Also in response to perceived North Korean aggression, the U.S. has announced plans to beef up ground-based missile defense systems in the Alaska.<br /> <br />North Korea's mid-range missiles are believed to have a maximum range of 1300 kilometers, while its long-range missiles could hit targets as far as 6000 kilometers away.
