US to beef up missile defence against North Korea
March 16, 2013  01:46
The Obama administration will add 14 interceptors to a West Coast-based missile defence system, reflecting concern about North Korea's focus on developing nuclear weapons and its advances in long-range missile technology, US officials said today.

Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel planned to announce the decision later today. It was first reported by Fox News. 

In advance of Hagel's announcement, defence officials confirmed the decision on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss it publicly. 

The Pentagon intends to add the 14 interceptors to 30 already in place in California and Alaska. That will expand the system's ability to shoot down long-range missiles in flight before they could reach US territory.

James Miller, defence undersecretary for policy, said in a speech Tuesday that the Pentagon has the ability to deploy up to 14 additional missile interceptors, "if needed." He did not say in the speech that a decision had been made to do so.
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