Reacting to reports that North Korea may be preparing to test-fire a missile toward Hawaii, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Thursday that he had ordered additional assets deployed to shore up defense of the islands.
Gates ordered the deployment of a powerful sea-based radar system that can help closely track the path of intercontinental ballistic missiles and also sent terminal-phase missile interceptors to Hawaii.
The comments may be intended to deter North Korea from attempting another long-range missile launch and to reassure allies that the United States is willing to act to prevent a successful test by the government in Pyongyang.
According to reports in Japanese media, the North Koreans appear to be preparing for their next long-range test around July 4. Experts believe that because the last long-range missile test failed, Pyongyang has more to prove and may see as another test as necessary.
Although Gates did not explicitly say that the U.S. would try to shoot down a test missile aimed in the direction of Hawaii, he noted that interceptor missiles in California and Alaska were ready.
A new United Nations resolution allows other nations to ask to search North Korean ships or inspect them when they make port calls if the vessels are suspected of smuggling arms or nuclear material.
