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December 12, 2000

The US Navy is actively trying to recruit foreign partners for its Theater Ballistic Missile Defense (TBMD) program. Japan agreed last year to cooperate in the development of the Standard Missile SM-3 Block II which would be the operative weapon in such a system. (The Japanese will jointly develop four key components of the missile.) Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, and Canada have all expressed interest in acquiring a TBMD capability and have joined the US in creating a Maritime TBMD Forum. Spain, Australia, and Norway are also reportedly interested. --Stephen V Cole