Tokyo's inability to track Pyongyang's new, short-range missiles, some of which could reach Japan, during their recent tests has government officials concerned that North Korea's new weaponry may be too advanced for current defense systems – leaving Japan vulnerable.
Amid conversations surrounding Saudi Arabia's defense technology and capabilities, a similar dialogue has just begun in the Pacific after Japanese defense radars were unable to track North Korea's recent series of short-range missile launches.
For the past several weeks, Pyongyang and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have conducted a series of tests that included the unveiling of their “state-of-the-art” KN-23 short-range missile technology to the world.
Sources told the Japan Times that the Maritime Self-Defense Force's Aegis-equipped destroyer deployed in the Sea of Japan and the Japan-based radar operated by the Air Self-Defense Force both experienced issues detecting the munitions. While their irregular trajectory does make detection difficult, these cases are particularly concerning due to the projectiles' ability to reach Japan and the fact that they were flying at a reported altitude of 60 kilometers, which is below average for a missile.
Though some were unnerved to see North Korea, which is on the receiving end of several United Nations missile-related sanctions, conduct these launches, Japan Times reported Monday that…
