North Korea is preparing to test a long-range ballistic missile Taepodong-2 1605133.

The North claimed its third atomic test staged in February involved a “miniaturised and lighter” warhead, prompting speculation that it had acquired the crucial technology to fit nuclear devices to a missile delivery system.

North Korea is believed to be in possession of a variety of long-range missiles, such as the Taepodong-1 which has an estimated range of 2,200km, and the Taepodong-2, a two to three-stage ballistic missile, but is a significant advance on the Taepodong-1. Its range has been estimated fro 5,000 to 15,000km. The Center for Nonproliferation Studies puts the figure at a maximum estimated 6,000km.

The Pentagon recently deployed the THAAD system to Guam to defend our military bases in the Pacific from North Korean threats, and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has announced plans to deploy 14 more ground-based interceptors to California and Alaska.

The United States isn't the only country that has recognized the necessity of strong missile defense. Friends and allies, including Israel, Japan, South Korea and the UAE, have come to rely on these systems. Several others, including Poland and Turkey, are in the process of assessing their missile defense options.