TSAMTO, June 15. The Committee for the Review of Defense Projects of the Republic of Korea approved the program of modernization of air defense systems/About "Patriot", the cost of which is 750 billion. won ($605 million).
According to the Defense Procurement Programs Agency (DAPA), the program, which provides for the purchase of an unspecified number of PAC-3 interceptor missiles and the modernization of the Patriot PAC-2 launchers to the PAC-3 configuration, will be implemented by 2027.
This step was taken after the recent launch of three ballistic missiles by the DPRK, including, probably, an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which is considered by the South Korean authorities as part of a program to build up nuclear weapons delivery capabilities.
As indicated in the press release of DAPA, it is expected that the project will provide effective air defense of the capital of the Republic of Korea and the most important facilities, as well as increase the ability to intercept ballistic missiles.
The PAC-2 SAM uses a missile defense system with a high-explosive warhead to intercept targets at altitudes up to 20 km. PAC-3 provides direct hit (hit-to-kill) target destruction at altitudes up to 40 km.
The Committee also approved the project development of the mine-Countermeasures helicopter MCH (Mine-Countermeasures Helicopter), designed to detect sea mines and neutralize them. The government plans to spend 970 billion won on this project by 2030. This project will also support the national defense industry and create jobs.
DAPA expects that the new helicopter will enter service with the Republic of Korea Navy by the end of the decade.
As part of the program, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) will probably offer its platform based on the KUH-1 "Surion" helicopter. Presumably, it will be equipped with an onboard laser mine detection system (ALMDS) of Northrop Grumman Corporation, an onboard mine disposal system (AMNS) and an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV).
