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The US government has detailed plans for a comprehensive air and missile defence system to be deployed at its airbases in Guam.
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In a recently released notice of intent document, the US Missile Defense Agency announced intentions for an Enhanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense system for the defence of Guam.
That system would include island-wide, persistent, 360-degree coverage of missile defence radars, sensors, missile launchers and missile interceptors, alongside the development of associated support facilities, infrastructure and management of airspace.
The proposed installations would be intended to defend the entirety of Guam against advanced cruise, ballistic and hypersonic missile attacks from regional adversaries.
“The 360-degree capability would be achieved by distributing or placing missile defence components, including a command and control centre, radars, sensors, missile launchers, missile interceptors, and support facilities, at multiple locations around the island,” according to an MDA statement published online.
“These integrated components would defend against simultaneous air and missile attacks against Guam. The system is expected to start deployment in 2027.
“Mission support facilities would be constructed in support of the system components, and would include power plants, fuel storage facilities, and operations facilities.
“Life support facilities may include family housing, fire stations, gas stations or child youth services.”
The announced defence upgrades have drawn the ire of officials from the People’s Republic of China.
PRC Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Senior Colonel Wu Qian said China is firmly opposed to the reported addition of 20 new air defence sites with surface-to-air interceptors and radars in Guam.
“The US has been using non-existent threats as pretexts to advance forward military deployment in the Asia-Pacific, which undermined security interests of other countries and heightened regional tensions,” the spokesperson said at a regular press conference.
“If Guam were to be an outpost to wage wars, it would not be secure even (if) it were armed to the teeth.”
