U.S. to deploy another X-band missile defense radar in JapanSeptember 17, 2012 - 14:34 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. and Japanese defense ministers have agreed to deploy another X-band missile defense radar in Japan, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Monday, Sept 17, AFP reported. The move is designed to counter the threat posed by North Korea's missile arsenal, he told reporters during a joint press conference with his opposite number in Tokyo. "The purpose of this is to enhance our ability to defend Japan. It's also designed to help forward-deployed U.S. forces," Panetta said. "It also will be effective in protecting the US homeland from the North Korean ballistic missile threat." Around 47,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Japan, many of them on the far southern island chain of Okinawa. Japan already has one X-band radar at Shariki base in Tsugaru City, in the far north of the main island of Honshu. A U.S. team is now on the ground looking for a site to locate the radar, likely in southern Japan, a U.S. defense official said earlier. Officials insisted the powerful early warning radar was not directed at China but solely designed to counter North Korea. "This is not about China," the official said. Pyongyang carried out a failed rocket launch in April in what it said was an attempt to put a satellite into orbit. But the UN Security Council strongly condemned the exercise as breaching a ban on the testing of ballistic missile technology, and tightened sanctions. The additional radar frees up U.S. naval Aegis ships, which have been operating near Japan to help detect any potential incoming missiles, the official said. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |