A U.S. defense industry magazine says the U.S. Navy has positioned most of its Aegis warships with ballistic missile defense (BMD) capabilities in the Pacific Ocean in preparation for a missile attack by North Korea.

Defense News said on Friday that of its three cruisers and 15 destroyers which have been upgraded with the ability to track and intercept enemy ballistic missiles, 16 are assigned to the Pacific Fleet.

The report said that the initial Aegis BMD effort was aimed at countering North Korea’s ballistic missiles.

North Korea test-fired a series of missiles in July of 2007, including the long-range Daepodong-Two, which U.S. officials say could reach parts of the United States.