Washington: The US has deployed the first missile defence system at two bases against missile attacks on a limited scale and plans airborne and sea-based defences from next year, a media report said yesterday (Dec 12, 2004).

The US, under National Security Presidential Directive of December 2002, plans to develop and deploy missile defences over the next 10 to 15 years, the 'Washington Times' reported.

The first system, now in place at Alaska and California bases two years after the demise of 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, can stop one or more long-range North Korean missiles fired at the US, the daily said.

Other defences, both airborne and sea-based, said the paper, will come online beginning next year and will provide a layer of systems designed to knock out missiles and warheads shortly after launch, in the middle of their flight and as they approach their final targets.

Air Force Lt Gen Henry A "Grey" Obering, Director of the missile Defence Agency, the Pentagon unit in charge of designing and fielding missile defences said the system is in a "shakedown" period where commanders and troops are working out any bugs and conducting tests and training.

Missile Defence Agency spokesman Rick Lehner said the new system is limited to stopping missiles from North Korea. "Any emergency capability for a missile launched from Asia is geared only to a North Korean threat, not China or Russia".

A third missile interceptor base is planned for Europe in the near future to deal with the growing threat of long-range missiles fired from Iran, Lehner said.