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Israel, Germany, Japan, Italy emerge as U.S. partners on missile defense

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Tuesday, August 7, 2001

WASHINGTON Ñ Germany, Israel, Italy and Japan are said to be the leading partners of the United States in the construction of a missile umbrella promoted by the Bush administration.

These four countries are cooperating in missile defense research in various programs with Washington. They are focusing on protecting territory or warships and military bases from short- and medium-range missiles from such adversaries as Iran, Iraq, Libya and North Korea.

Officials said the range of projects could be linked to form a worldwide missile shield for U.S. allies. These include the $216 million Medium Extended Air Defense System that brings together Germany and Italy in a mobile defense system against short-range missiles.

Washington has signed an accord with Japan for research on advanced missile components, such as advanced sea-based interceptor and infrared sensors. With Israel, the United States is cooperating to advanced the Arrow-2 interceptor and a high-energy laser.

In addition, the Bush administration is discussing joint research with Britain on an advanced radar to detect missile launches and distinguish missiles from decoys. The radar would use both S-band and X-band radars.

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