The United States will deploy 14 additional ground-based defence missiles against the growing threat from North Korea, US Secretary of Defence Chuck Hagel said Friday.
The interceptors will be based in Fort Greely, Alaska, dpa reported.
In addition, new radar capability will be installed in Japan to track any missiles fired by Pyongyang, Hagel said.
The increase will represent a near 50-per-cent increase over the current programme of 30 interceptor facilities.
On Tuesday, James Clapper, the director of national intelligence, told Congress that North Korea was close to deploying a new mobile intercontinental missile system.
"We believe North Korea has already taken initial steps towards fielding this system, although it remains untested," Clapper said. It was the first public statement by a senior Obama administration official about the new mobile system.