Global Ballistic Missile Threats Beginning to Outpace US Defense Capability

The United States should upgrade missile defense capabilities to be able to counter growing threats, Republican Senator Jim Inhofe said in a press release following the launch of two medium-range ballistic missiles by North Korea.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) —  North Korea fired two ballistic missiles from its eastern shore on Wednesday morning. One of the weapons landed into the Sea of Japan, the country’s exclusive economic zone.

“The growing ballistic missile threats to our nation and our allies are beginning to outpace the United States’ missile defense capability in numbers and sophistication,” Inhofe stated on Wednesday. “Not only do we have North Korea continuing to flex and test its missile capabilities, but Iran also continues to test medium range ballistic missiles in violation of the UN Security Council resolutions.”

Inhofe emphasized the importance of modernizing the US military in order to effectively respond to increasing dangers.

“It is time for an administration that is committed to rebuilding our military and responsibly prioritizing and modernizing our nation’s missile defense," Inhofe noted.

Earlier in the day, NATO called on North Korea to swiftly cease all nuclear and ballistic activities violating UN Security Council resolutions and refrain from undermining global security by its provocative actions.