North Korea missile site activity revives talk of U.S. missile defense in South

[F-22Raptor]

South Korea indicated increased willingness to host an advanced U.S. anti-missile defense on Friday as activity detected at a North Korean missile site revived talk of deploying a system opposed by China and Russia.

U.S. military officials have said the sophisticated system called Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) was needed in South Korea, which faces the threat of an increasingly advanced North Korean missile program.

"If THAAD is deployed by the U.S. military in Korea, it will be helpful for our security and defense," South Korean Defense Ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok said.

Previously, South Korea was reluctant to openly discuss the possibility of the deployment, as it tried to walk a fine line between its closest ally, the United States, and its biggest trade partner, China.

U.S. officials told Reuters on Thursday there was increased activity at a North Korean missile site suggesting preparations for a possible rocket launch as U.N. Security Council members discuss fresh sanctions against North Korea after it conducted its fourth nuclear test on Jan. 6.

The officials cited intelligence suggesting movement of components and propellant at North Korea's Sohae satellite launch facility. A test could take place within a couple of weeks, they said.

The United States maintains 28,500 military personnel in the country, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War, which ended in a truce and left the two Koreas in a technical state of war.

China is North Korea's lone major ally. But in recent years South Korea has forged increasingly strong ties with China.

"We believe that any country, when striving for its own security, should also consider other countries' security interests and regional peace and stability," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a briefing when asked about the possibility of deploying THAAD in South Korea.

Kim said there was internal discussion in the U.S. government about deploying the system to its military based in South Korea.

The system has radar that can track multiple ballistic missiles up to 2,000 km (1,200 miles) away, a range which would reach deep into China and Russia.

The THAAD system is built by Lockheed Martin Corp, and costs an estimated 1 trillion won ($885.6 million) apiece. Some THAAD opponents in South Korea propose instead developing an indigenous missile defense system.

Both China and Russia, which are among the five international powers that have sought to negotiate with North Korea to persuade it to abandon its nuclear weapons, have spoken against stationing the THAAD system in South Korea.

North Korea last conducted a long-range rocket launch in late 2012, sending an object it described as a communications satellite into orbit. Western and Asian experts said it was part of an effort to build an ICBM.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missile-usa-southkorea-idUSKCN0V70VP

 

[Ewok6102]

Russia should revive talks of its missile defence with Cuba and China should jointly initiate talks with friends and business partners in Latin America. We need to protect our friends and businesses there in case the American system fails.

 

[Fenrir]

Russia should revive talks of its missile defence with Cuba.

I see you don't follow world events:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/18/world/americas/us-cuba-relations.html?_r=0

Even the US Embassy in Havana has reopened after 54 years.

People are ready to move on in a new era of prosperity:

Even covert US programs are ending or nearing their end in Cuba:

http://www.medpagetoday.com/PublicHealthPolicy/WorkForce/55599

In an instant, everything they've worked for would be gone. Cuba wont do that.

 

[Ewok6102]

I see you don't follow world events:

Even the US Embassy in Havana has reopened after 54 years/

In an instant, everything they've worked for would be gone. Cuba wont do that.

Events and circumstances do change over time be it for better or for worse, and Cuba is not the only country in Latin America. Global politics are as volatile as share prices on the screen.

Heck, Russia can setup a defence system in north pole too should they wish to. America will need to play this card carefully, as two can play this game.

 

[Oldman1]

Events and circumstances do change over time be it for better or for worse, and Cuba is not the only country in Latin America. Global politics are as volatile as share prices on the screen.

Heck, Russia can setup a defence system in north pole too should they wish to. America will need to play this card carefully, as two can play this game.

Since Russia already has a missile defense, I wouldn't worry about adding more in North Pole.

 

[Ewok6102]

Since Russia already has a missile defense, I wouldn't worry about adding more in North Pole.

There is nothing to worry about. Russia is only there to protect you guys in case naughty kim manages to slip pass your missile defence. Look at it as an "insurance" if you like. China may join them eventually. Our partners and friends in Latin America could use some protection too, from this ever "credible" nuclear threat.

 

[Oldman1]

There is nothing to worry about. Russia is only there to protect you guys in case naughty kim manages to slip pass your missile defence. Look at it as an "insurance" if you like. China may join them eventually. Our partners and friends in Latin America could use some protection too, from this ever "credible" nuclear threat.

Nah, with the advance ABM systems on ships and on ground, don't have to rely on the Russians and the Chinese to do it. Already planning to based them in Korea, Hawaii as well as other parts of the world. Ships are better since they are more mobile.

 

[Ewok6102]

Nah, with the advance ABM systems on ships and on ground, don't have to rely on the Russians and the Chinese to do it. Already planning to based them in Korea, Hawaii as well as other parts of the world. Ships are better since they are more mobile.

Good for you and your allies. But we have to think about "our" own friends and business partners. As two of the greatest powers of the world, it is our duty to protect and secure our friend's interest. You are free to protect your friends, and we do the same for ours.

 

[Oldman1]

Good for you and your allies. But we have to think about "our" own allies and business partners. So as two of the greatest powers of the world, it is our duty to protect and secure our friend's interest. You are free to protect your friends, and we do the same for ours.

Indeed, hopefully China and Russia wouldn't complain anymore about our ABM system being based in different parts of the world to defend our interests.

Or ships nearby.

 

[Fenrir]

Events and circumstances do change over time be it for better or for worse, and Cuba is not the only country in Latin America. Global politics are as volatile as share prices on the screen.

Here's the problem with your continued assertion. Systems like THAAD:

And S-400:

Have an estimated range against missiles of greater than 200km and with a flight altitude of greater than 100km... this puts ICBMs out of reach, except in the terminal phase. 200km from the US puts missiles either at sea, or in Cuba, Mexico or Canada... not happening.

This is why systems like THAAD are designed to knock MRBM, IRBM and SRBMs down, missiles like this, from which Hera and similar US test targets where derived:

No missile defense system in Latin America, other than in Mexico or Cuba, would be a deterrent to the US as the US doesn't use MRBMs or IRBMs and its ICBMs would be out of range of a missile defense system.

The longest ranged ABM systems are SM-3 Block IIB - with an estmated range of +2500km and a flight atlitude of +1500 - it's a US system, but only at sea or in static sites called Aegis Ashore.

The other ultra-long ranges system is Russia's A-135:

With a range of +900km and an altitude of +900 km. It too features static components, in this case the radar: - a Don-2 pillbox:

It's warhead is nuclear. Both SM-3 Block IIB and A-135 are designed with counter ICBM capabilities.

None of these are viable options for a Latin American missile defense system - Russia already has A-135 protecting critical assets in its country.

...

But its not THAAD that worries China anyway. It knows THAAD can't intercept its ICBMs and IRBMs or MRBMs, except those fired at South Korea - THAAD batteries in Japan are a different determiner.

Rather, it's the radar, with a +1000km range, that can monitor Chinese airspace that worries them:

But what really should worry China is North Korea. The more they act up, the more readiness Japan and South Korea have to ask for the US to further entrench itself in the region.

Indeed, hopefully China and Russia wouldn't complain anymore about our ABM system being based in different parts of the world to defend our interests.

But they still will.

 

[Ewok6102]

Indeed, hopefully China and Russia wouldn't complain anymore about our ABM system being based in different parts of the world to defend our interests.

Or ships nearby.

Oh, I am sure all parties will continue to complain regardless. It is part of the game. Just don't expect similar actions not to be taken by China and Russia in the near future.
As power houses we are all entitled to throw some weight around or to walk that extra mile to safeguard our own, as well as our friend's interests.

 

[Ewok6102]

No missile defense system in Latin America, other than in Mexico or Cuba, would be a deterrent to the US as the US doesn't use MRBMs or IRBMs and its ICBMs would be out of range of a missile defense system.

You are too sensitive here my honourable friend. We are talking about deterring naughty Kim are we not? Since it is clear that they have the abilities to develop more sophisticated weapons, we will also need to think of more sophisticated ways to defend ourselves and our friend's overseas. We are at an age where we no longer put tanks against tanks, ships against ships and missiles against missiles.
We too can setup listening stations, conduct cyber and space warfare and tackle the problems using other means, but end result will be the same, if not more effective (asymmetrical warfare).

With the widening of our defensive nets, both Asia and Americas will be safe from fat boy Kim.

But its not THAAD that worries China anyway.

Rather, it's the radar, with a +1000km range, that can monitor Chinese airspace that worries them

Worries not the word, but it does concern China as well as Russia. Since they are both located within the region. IMHO, I don't think there is a need for us to be concerned. As America already has military bases in the region. In fact, it is America and its allies who should be concerned of what Russia and China will do to complement this move.

Lets talk about this more when South Korea agrees to put pen to paper on this move. Until then, these are all mere speculations.

 

[xunzi]

Indeed, hopefully China and Russia wouldn't complain anymore about our ABM system being based in different parts of the world to defend our interests.

Or ships nearby.

We are not complaining. We just warned your allies of the consequences for hosting them.

 

[Oldman1]

We are not complaining. We just warned your allies of the consequences for hosting them.

And warning them just lead to animosity anyways. Which is a good thing for the U.S. Since sanctions not working, ABM system will have to be and China will have to accept it.

 

[xunzi]

And warning them just lead to animosity anyways. Which is a good thing for the U.S. Since sanctions not working, ABM system will have to be and China will have to accept it.

Our message is very clear. We do not interfere in a sovereign country to deploy any type of weapons on their soil. What we said is if they do so, they should bear the consequences of the countermeasure employ by the effect parties which is China and Russia. So yes, SK can go ahead and deploy THAAD and we will respond by targeting those in SK as countermeasure. If they show no respect for our security concern, then so be it.