61.   He said a continued Chinese buildup could result in support for a theater missile defense system to protect Taiwan, which the Chinese oppose.

62.   Russian officials had broached similar ideas in talks with U.S. officials about so-called theater missile defense systems, which fit into the framework of the ABM treaty.

63.   The theater missile defense system is designed to blow up incoming missiles in the sky before they reach their targets.

64.   The Russians have made a counterproposal, essentially involving a European theater missile defense system, but NATO officials say it lacks any real detail.

65.   The so-called U.S. theater missile defense system is intended to protect ships and troops from regional threats, mostly from short- and medium-range missiles.

66.   The United States and Japan agreed last year to jointly study a theater missile defense system after North Korea test-launched a ballistic missile that overflew Japan.

67.   The plan also calls for further studies on an advanced anti-missile system, known as the theater missile defence system.

68.   THAAD is one of several theater anti-ballistic missile systems being developed by the US military.

69.   The five-year plan also calls for further studies on an advanced anti-missile system, known as the theater missile defence system.