It's fully equipped with sea-based missile defense systems, has long been the Navy's primary ship for the sea-based missile defense program and has the technology needed for the operation, officials said.

CNN: Attempt to shoot down spy satellite to cost up to $60 million

Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut, to go along, apparently by brazenly transferring missile defense monies to ship-building and other member-directed priorities.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: levin4

The statement said the Defense Ministry is sending a nearby ship to the scene of the hijacking.

CNN: Presumed pirates take fishing boat off Somalia

This will require immediately expanding the number of Navy ships with the Aegis fleet air defense system that are equipped to intercept ship-launched ballistic missiles.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Mortal threat

Meanwhile, German sailors on Thursday foiled an attempt by pirates to hijack an Egyptian cargo ship off the coast of Yemen, the German Defense Ministry said.

CNN: China warships set sail on anti-pirate mission

An Indian frigate battled a pirate ship in the Gulf of Aden on Tuesday, leaving the ship ablaze and likely sunk, the country's defense ministry reported.

CNN: Pirates collect $150 million in ransoms

Besides 100 interceptor missiles at a single site in Alaska, the Clinton Administration plan calls for a potential second site in North Dakota, with up to 150 more interceptors, as well as the option of supplementing both sites with ship-based defenses that could also provide some measure of defense for U.S. allies.

CNN: Bush's missile defense plans may be indistinct from Clinton-Gore's

The Department of Defense envisions customizing parts on site for operational systems that would otherwise be expensive to make or ship.

WHITEHOUSE: The White House

And we have looked at the rules of engagement and a defense design for a wide variety of places that could be protected by the fact that the ship can be moved.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing on NATO Defense Capabilities