Turning back to China, Liberation Army Daily and the Beijing News report that China successfully carried out a land-based, mid-course missile interception test at an undisclosed location within its borders, but says the test did not target any country.

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After a failed test in January, the next try-out of the missile-interception system has been postponed until late June.

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The initial, boost phase is the best time for defenders to achieve interception, because the lofting missile is relatively easy to track and one hit may kill multiple warheads.

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Thus, boost-phase interception requires very prompt detection of a missile launch -- which adverse cloud and weather conditions can make difficult or impossible.

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West European defence planners have been slower to react to the missile challenge than their American and Israeli counterparts, and more sceptical about interception.

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