North Korean missile threat: U.S. to send two warships to Japan to counter North Korea

Originally published on April 7, 2014U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has announced plans to deploy two additional anti-ballistic missile ships to Japan by 2017. North Korea has test fired a series of mid-range missiles in recent months, missiles believed to have a maximum range of 1300 kilometers.In response to North Korean launches, the U.S. says it will deploy two additional missile defense warships to Japan by 2017, bringing the total to seven. The ships are equipped with AEGIS ballistic missile defense capabilities, which can detect and intercept ballistic missiles."The American defense secretary says the deployment of additional ships is meant to reinforce America's commitment to Japan's security, a nation that already hosts some 50,000 U.S. troops.Also in response to perceived North Korean aggression, the U.S. has announced plans to beef up ground-based missile defense systems in the Alaska. North Korea's mid-range missiles are believed to have a maximum range of 1300 kilometers, while its long-range missiles could hit targets as far as 6000 kilometers away.