US Indo-Pacific Head Wants Missile Defense System on Guam to Counter China Threat

The Missile Defense Agency conducts the first intercept flight test of a land-based Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense weapon system from the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Test Complex in Kauai, Hawaii, Dec. 10, 2015. Leah Garton/U.S. Missile Defense Agency/Handout via Reuters

The head of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command aims to have an active missile defense system deployed on Guam by 2026 to counter the rising capability of regional rivals.

Adm. Phil Davidson’s top priority is to install an Aegis Ashore ballistic missile defense system on the Pacific island as part of a concept he calls “Homeland Defense System Guam,” he said in a July 21 call with reporters.