US, allies urge 24-hour notice for missile launches

The United States and about 40 other countries warned Tuesday that ballistic missile tests without enough advance notice risk miscalculation and undermine security.

In a joint statement, countries from Europe and the Indo-Pacific called on all countries to provide at least 24 hours' notice before launches. They said notices should include the class of missile being launched, the planned launch window, area and direction.

The statement also called for clear notices for airmen and mariners, including for expected impact or landing areas.

The statement was issued a month after China launched a nuclear-capable missile in the Pacific. Beijing gave only a handful of nations short notice before the test, and monitors said the rocket appeared to land in ocean between the Solomon Islands, Nauru and Tuvalu.