Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced Friday that the United States will be installing 14 land-based missile interceptors in Alaska, with full deployment complete by 2017.
The announcement follows continued threats of nuclear strikes on the U.S. by North Korea.
According to NBC News, the interceptors will be installed at Fort Greely, an Army launch site for anti-ballistic missiles in Alaska.
The move will “make clear to the world that the United States stands firm against aggression,” Hagel said, according to NBC.
Hagel said expanding missile defense will help protect against both North Korea and Iran.
“[W]e will be able to add protection against missiles from Iran sooner while also proving protection against the threat from North Korea,” Hagel said.