http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/wo...on-united-states/story-fnd134gw-1226612136732
NORTH Korea says it has approved a nuclear attack on the United States in its latest threat as US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel warned Pyongyang to back down.
With the world on alert, experts say North Korea does potentially have the capability of hitting Australia with a missile - but only if they're very lucky.
University of NSW Professor of International Security Alan Dupont recently told defence correspondent Ian McPhedran that North Korea had only a "rudimentary" intercontinental ballistic missile system.
"The capability is pretty rudimentary and has more to do with pretence than substance," he said.
While a well-prepared missile may be capable of reaching the top-end of mainland Australia, it would not be able to hit a specific target - yet alone carry a nuclear warhead.
It also faced being shot down by the growing numbers of anti-missile systems being deployed around North Korea.
NORTH Korea says it has approved a nuclear attack on the United States in its latest threat as US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel warned Pyongyang to back down.
With the world on alert, experts say North Korea does potentially have the capability of hitting Australia with a missile - but only if they're very lucky.
University of NSW Professor of International Security Alan Dupont recently told defence correspondent Ian McPhedran that North Korea had only a "rudimentary" intercontinental ballistic missile system.
"The capability is pretty rudimentary and has more to do with pretence than substance," he said.
While a well-prepared missile may be capable of reaching the top-end of mainland Australia, it would not be able to hit a specific target - yet alone carry a nuclear warhead.
It also faced being shot down by the growing numbers of anti-missile systems being deployed around North Korea.