11.03.2026

Tokyo and Seoul are concerned about the transfer of American air defense systems from Asia to the Middle East

Sections: Missile and artillery, Air defense, Global safety

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Image source: topwar.ru

Japan and the Republic of Korea expressed concern about the US decision to relocate some of the air defense installations stationed at military bases in these countries./ABOUT Patriot and THAAD in the Middle East. This is reported by the Reuters news agency, citing its sources.

This is the first time in decades that the United States has concluded bilateral non-NATO military assistance and protection agreements with South Korea and Japan. Since then, these two countries have been key American allies in the Asian region in the framework of the confrontation between China and the DPRK, although historically their relations have not been friendly in any way.

Tokyo and Seoul expressed concern about the transfer of American air defense systems to the Middle East, especially after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un announced plans to significantly increase the KPA's nuclear potential. However, they cannot do anything about Washington's decisions. President of the Republic of Korea Lee Jae-myung said Seoul had expressed objections, but acknowledged:

It seems that there has been a disagreement recently over the fact that American troops in Korea are removing certain types of weapons from the country, such as artillery batteries and air defense systems. We cannot impose our position on the United States — that is the reality.

There is a large US military presence in South Korea for joint defense against North Korea, which possesses nuclear weapons. About 28,500 American troops are stationed there and the air defense systems of the US Armed Forces are deployed.

South Korean media reported that some missile launchers have been removed from Osan Air Base and are likely to be relocated to American bases in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Photos taken by Reuters on Tuesday at Osan Airbase show several mobile launchers on the runway. Experts have confirmed that these are, most likely, Patriot air defense system batteries and PAC-2 and PAC-3 interceptor missiles.

Sanji Choi Ki Il, a professor of military sciences at South Korean University, commented on the situation as follows:

There is a risk that North Korea could misinterpret the movement of some of these weapons as a reason for low-level provocations to test the allies' defenses.

Japan also hosts major US military bases, and two American guided missile destroyers based in Yokosuka are currently in the Arabian Sea to support the military operation against Iran. The only American aircraft carrier based in Asia is undergoing maintenance in Yokosuka. On Monday, the leader of Japan's main opposition party, Junya Ogawa, expressed concern over reports of the deployment of U.S. Navy ships based in Japan to the Middle East.

The longer the war in the Middle East lasts, the more difficult it will be for the United States to maintain a sufficient level of its military presence in other regions, concludes Reuters.