South Korea is seeking to buy 48 sophisticated defensive missiles from the United States and install them in the country's Ageis-equipped KDX-III destroyers, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said Monday.
According to a DAPA spokesman, negotiations are underway to buy the Raytheon Systems' SM-2 Block IIB Tactical missiles in a deal worth some $111 million. SM-2 missiles are effective against cruise and airborne missiles and for striking aircraft.
The Navy has built three 3,000 ton-class KDX-I destroyers and five 4,000 ton-class KDX-II destroyers. It plans to build one more KDX-II this October. Three 7,000 ton-class KDX-III vessels, planned for launching by 2012, are expected to have the new missiles installed as the primary defensive system for anti-missile ship protection, a Navy spokesperson said. |