South Korea will sign a contract before the year is out to overhaul its Patriot missile system.
The new system and missiles, which will cost well in excess of one billion U.S. dollars, are set for delivery starting 2016.
Shin Se-min has more.
South Korea will sign a deal to upgrade its Patriot missile system by the end of this year.
Officials at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration said Wednesday that it will upgrade the country's current PAC-2 air defense system to a PAC-3 Configuration to improve South Korea's air defenses against North Korea.
The new system and missiles will be purchased from U.S. defense firms Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.
Although the state arms procurement agency declined to comment on how much the new missiles would cost or give any further details,... the defense ministry has set aside some 1-point-4 billion U.S. dollars for the adoption of new defense system.
Delivery is expected to start in 2016.
The new defense system packs "hit-to-kill" PAC-3 missiles with upgraded accuracy,... and it will enhance the PAC-2 fire control system so it's capable of firing PAC-2 and PAC-3 missiles interchangeably.
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration has also approved a plan to extend the range of the country's multiple launch rocket system from the current 30 kilometers to up to 80 kilometers by 2020.
Shin Se-min, Arirang News.
