North Korea launched on Sunday a land-based version of the KN-11 nuclear-capable ballistic missile that may have traveled further and faster than any North Korean missile before it.
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Experts say missile defense alone won't save us from the growing North Korean nuclear threat
"As of right now I've never heard anyone come out and say we need to build a missile defense system to defend us from Russia and China," said Romero.
The test-fire of North Korea's Pukguksong-2 is shown in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency on February 13.
The missile flew about 300 miles before hitting the Sea of Japan, likely further than any test before it and used solid fuel that allowed it to be launched off a tank-like truck in a matter of minutes, Pentagon spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters on Monday.
Older North Korean missiles have used liquid fuel, which requires them to travel with huge convoys and to gas up prior to a launch, which gives observers time to prepare and respond.
While Davis said the launch made clear the “grave threat to our national security,” he added
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Experts on North Korea and missile defense told Business Insider a different story about the US's ability to defend against North Korean attacks.
The US is
Though the US
Kelsey Davenport, the director of nonproliferation at the Arms Control Association, told Business Insider that missile defense isn't a good enough response to North Korea's missile tests — diplomatic engagement is needed.
The latest test "underscores
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The US just doesn't "have enough interceptors to sit and play catch with everything that North Korea can throw," Williams said. "US and allied missile defenses could likely absorb a first wave, but there would need to be coordination with strike forces to start knocking out North Korea’s missiles out before they could be launched."
The second major issue, according to Williams, is coverage. The US uses multiple layers of missile defense systems like Patriot missile defense batteries and guided-missile destroyer ships, but they provide uneven coverage in the region.
The US has been pushing to deploy a larger range missile defense system to South Korea, known as Terminal High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD), as a kind of admission that the current systems have weaknesses and flaws.
But like other systems, THAAD isn't perfect. It has an excellent track record within it's range, but North Korea could simply send a submarine outside of range and fire away.
For example, while the US may have systems in place to counter North Korea, it
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