In September last year, Japan became the first country other than the United States to test the new US-developed Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3, left), a surface-to-air missile that tracks and hits incoming targets. -- PHOTO: AP
TOKYO - JAPAN said it successfully shot down a mock ballistic missile late on Wednesday in its second test of a US-developed surface-to-air interception system, the defence ministry said.
The Japan Air Self-Defence Force 'successfully intercepted a mock ballistic missile at Japan time 11.46pm (10.46pm Singapore time) on Sept 16 in a test conducted in New Mexico,' said a defence ministry spokesman.
In September last year, Japan became the first country other than the United States to test the new US-developed Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3), a surface-to-air missile that tracks and hits incoming targets.
In its second test of the PAC-3, Japan for the first time used a missile which it had produced under licence, the spokesman said.
Washington and Tokyo have been working jointly to erect a missile shield against possible attacks from North Korea. The shield is planned for completion by early 2011. -- AFP
