US to invest $900M in New Guam Missile Defense System

The US military is proposing a nearly $900 million budget to procure a new missile defense system for Guam.

According to a summary of the proposed 2023 defense budget, the new system would address growing missile threats from China.

“Our budget invests $892 million for the defense of Guam, including improved missile defense, command and control capabilities, radar capacity and new construction,” Vice Adm. Ron Boxall said, as quoted by the Pacific Daily News.

He further revealed that the US plans to spend an additional $133 million in base defense enhancements throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

Apart from the new missile defense system, the budget proposal includes funding to develop ship-based Aegis systems for the island’s defense.

The US Army already operates the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system at an air force base in Yigo, Guam.