A Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force transport vessel has left Hiroshima, western Japan, carrying missile interceptors bound for the southern prefecture of Okinawa. This follows North Korea’s notification of a satellite launch.
The transport ship Osumi left Kure base on Thursday, loaded with PAC-3 surface-to-air missile launchers, as well as large vehicles and other equipment.
The PAC-3 interceptors will be deployed to areas near the expected flight path of what is widely believed to be a ballistic missile.
Pyongyang says the missile is scheduled to take the same trajectory as one launched 4 years ago, which passed over Okinawa Prefecture.
The interceptor missiles will shoot down any incoming object.
The SDF has already deployed PAC-3 units in Tokyo’s Defense Ministry compound, as well as Asaka training field in Saitama Prefecture, and Narashino maneuvers field in Chiba Prefecture.
Three Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels will be in the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea. The Aegis vessels are equipped with high-performance radar to track ballistic missiles.(NHK)
Link: http://atimes.com/2016/02/japan-navy-ship-carrying-missile-interceptors-leaves-for-okinawa/
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