The Missile Defense Agency plans to deploy an advanced missile defense radar, the X-band radar system—to Japan within six months, according to top agency officials speaking at a budget briefing earlier this week. As part of last year’s military realignment agreements, the US and Japan agreed to station an X-band system in the Asian country to increase ballistic missile defenses for both countries. The $130 million radar will be linked with early warning missile defense satellites and the Aegis BMD system as well as Japan’s defense networks. The radar is currently at Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
The U.S. supports “a stronger and more capable” European defense, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said during an Oct. 22 press conference in Brussels—but that defense should not duplicate the functions and capabilities of the NATO alliance.