N Korea deploys more anti-aircraft missiles

SEOUL: North Korea has increased the number of anti-aircraft missiles deployed near the capital in preparation for potential attacks by US and South Korean planes, a report said Wednesday.

The number of SA-5 surface-to-air missiles with a maximum range of 300 kilometres (190 miles) sited near Pyongyang rose from two in 2000 to 40 in 2010, Yonhap news agency said, quoting a Seoul military source.

During the same period, the number of SA-3 missiles, which offer a short-range defence against low-flying aircraft, jumped to 140 from seven, it said.

The number of SA-2 missiles with a range of 48 kilometres increased to some 180 from 45 in 2000, Yonhap said, adding the North also had about 12,000 portable anti-aircraft missiles.

"In case of contingency, we could hit deep into the enemy territory only if we neutralise the North's surface-to-air missiles, radar systems and long-range rocket launchers," the source was quoted as saying. (AFP)