If North Korea launches nuclear warheads at the United States, the U.S. anti-missile system may need to shoot the nukes down over Russian territory, according to an expert on nuclear and missile proliferation in Northeast Asia.
The United States has multiple missile defense systems. The Patriot missiles and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) can shoot down a missile while it approaches its target and are meant to intercept missiles of shorter range.
To stop an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), the country would use Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD), which aims to destroy the incoming missile midcourse—while it’s still in space.
If North Korea did launch an ICBM at the United States, the missile would likely take a course over the North Pole. Shooting it down midway would mean the intercepting missiles’ paths would likely cross into Russian territory, triggering its early warning systems.
If Russia were to mistake interception of a North Korean missile for an attack on its territory, the repercussions could be catastrophic.
The interceptors carry no explosives—they simply ram into their targets. That means Russia shouldn’t fear them. The question is, will it recognize them?
In July, North Korea tested its Hwasong-14 missile. Based on the test, the missile could reach as far as 6,210 miles, putting the U.S. West Coast within range.
To avoid Russian territory, the interception can be held off until the missile reaches closer to its target, but that would leave no time to shoot a second volley in case the first one fails.
Pollack suggested the United States could install GMDs on the Thule Air Base in Pituffik, Greenland, if its authorities agree. That would provide an angle that could avoid Russian territory.
“Moving GBIs to Thule would also force Missile Defense Agency spokespeople to learn how to pronounce Pituffik,” Pollack said. “That alone seems like justification enough.”