Britain's Defence Ministry says it is ready to use missiles to protect next year's London Olympics. The statement came amid reports the U.S. planned to send up to 1,000 agents, including 500 from the FBI, to protect its contestants and diplomats.

Defence Minister Philip Hammond said on Monday that all necessary measures to ensure the safety of the Olympics will be taken, including appropriate ground-to-air defences.

The original estimated security forces for the London Olympics was 10 thousand. Later it was increased to 21 thousand after this summer's reevaluation. But the London Organizing Committee could not afford the extra fees for the added police and turned to the Defence Ministry for help.

The Defence Ministry has promised to send 3 thousand soldiers to boost the security and another 2 thousand as back-up. But that number is still far from meeting the demand of the committee.