JAKARTA - The United States government, under President Joe Biden, has decided to postpone the long-planned test launch of the Air Force's Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
Capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, the Minuteman III ICBM made by Boeing Co. is the key to the US military's strategic arsenal. The missile has a range of over 6.000 miles (9,660-plus km) and can travel at a speed of about 15.000 miles per hour (24.000 kph).
White House National Security spokesman John Krib said the US Air Force had planned to conduct a test launch this week. But it will now be rescheduled for a date, without saying when exactly, in the near future.
In his statement Thursday, Kirby said the delay was made to avoid escalating tensions with Beijing during China's show of force near Taiwan.
"When China engages in destabilizing military exercises around Taiwan, the United States is instead demonstrating responsible nuclear power behavior by reducing the risk of miscalculation and misperception," Kirby said.
China deployed aircraft and fired missiles directly in the Taiwan Strait on Thursday, a day after US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi traveled to the self-governing island. China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under its control.
"We don't believe it is in our interests, Taiwan's interests, regional interests, to allow tensions to escalate further, which is why the long-planned Minuteman III ICBM test scheduled for this week has been rescheduled for the near future," he said.
Previously, the US military canceled a test of the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile in April. The delay was aimed at de-escalating nuclear tensions with Russia during the ongoing war in Ukraine.
China deployed aircraft and fired missiles directly near Taiwan on Thursday in its biggest ever drill in the Taiwan Strait, a day after US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a solidarity trip to the self-governing island.
SEE ALSO:
China's military confirmed multiple firings of conventional missiles in Taiwanese waters, as part of planned drills in six zones that will last until noon Sunday.
China's CCTV television said the military exercise this time involved more than 100 aircraft, including fighter jets and bombers and more than 10 warships.
Taiwanese authorities said 11 Chinese Dongfeng ballistic missiles had been fired in nearby waters, the first time since 1996.
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