US Army: Test of anti-intercontinental ballistic missile system was successful
The US military announced on Tuesday that it had successfully targeted a simulated missile in the first practical test of its anti-intercontinental ballistic missile system.
According to Reuters, the US military launched the intercontinental ballistic missile from Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean towards the United States, and then an anti-missile system based at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California fired an interceptor missile at the intercontinental missile.
The Missile Defense Agency announced that the test was successful in countering an intercontinental ballistic missile.
"This missile defense system plays a critical role in protecting our nation, and this test demonstrated that we have the deterrent power needed to eliminate threats," Admiral Jim Azsrang, director of the Missile Defense Agency, said in a statement.
In this regard, Jeff Davis, a spokesman for the US Department of Defense, has also said: "We have several options available to counter potential threats, and this anti-missile system is just one of them."
The news of the test of this intercontinental ballistic missile system has come as North Korea has conducted numerous missile tests in recent weeks.
North Korea, which is trying to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile, has tested intermediate-range ballistic missiles in recent weeks, which Pyongyang has said were successful.
As Pyongyang seeks to increase its ability to mount nuclear warheads on ballistic missiles, the international community and the United Nations Security Council have called on North Korea to halt missile and nuclear tests, Reuters reported.
US President Donald Trump has previously described North Korea as his biggest global challenge and said there is a possibility of conflict with Pyongyang.
