US shrinks '360-degree shield' at Guam logistics center

The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) said it has reduced the number of locations for deploying the multi-billion dollar missile defense system on Guam from 22 to 16 locations.

Six additional THAAD air defense systems were installed on the US island of Guam. (Source: THAAD)

In a draft environmental impact assessment report dated October 25, MDA said the project aims to create a "360-degree shield" to protect US territories in the Pacific from all forms of air and missile attacks.

The 10-year plan includes the integration of Raytheon's SM-6, SM-3 Block IIA, Lockheed Martin's Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and Patriot PAC-3 missile defense systems. The project is strategically important to the US and its allies in the Indo- Pacific region because Guam is Washington's offshore logistics hub - closer to China than Hawaii.

The draft environmental impact study, which is due to begin in 2023 and will include a public comment period this year, proposes “deploying, operating, and maintaining air and missile defense systems at 16 sites” on Guam. However, the report does not explain why the number of missile defense sites would be reduced.

Public meetings will be held in Guam next month to discuss the report, MDA announced.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/my-thu-hep-la-chan-360-do-o-trung-tam-hau-can-guam-291466.html