WASHINGTON -- The United States Senate on Monday passed a bill that calls for boosting missile defenses and providing greater security assurances to its ally South Korea amid North Korea's growing threats.

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 passed 89-8 to inject $700 billion into the Pentagon budget, including some $8.5 billion toward strengthening US missile and defense systems. That was $630 million more than what the Donald Trump administration reportedly sought.

The defense policy bill calls on Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to submit a plan to enhance the extended deterrence of the US toward South Korea and Japan.
 
Tensions have escalated in the region in the wake of North Korea's repeated provocations, including two intercontinental ballistic missile tests in July and a sixth nuclear test earlier this month.

Through extended deterrence, the US has committed to defending its allies by mobilizing all military capabilities, including nuclear and conventional.

The bill calls on the secretary to include in his report any plans to increase the visible presence of key US military assets in the region, such as missile defenses and long-range strike assets.

The report should also cover plans to deploy to the region dual-capable aircraft, which can simultaneously carry conventional and nuclear weapons.

Other points to be included are plans to increase military sales to the allies and any necessary modifications to the US nuclear force posture, such as the redeployment of submarine-launched nuclear cruise missiles to the region.

The bill underscores the need to maintain and modernize current US nuclear capabilities to ensure the extended deterrence commitments remain credible.

It is to be sent to the House of Representatives for joint negotiations before Congress considers a final version. (Yonhap)