The State Department approved a possible $65 million Foreign Military Sales (FMS) request to South Korea for SM-2 Block IIIB Standard missiles, containers and support.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the potential sale on July 1.

A Standard Missile (SM)-2 missile being launched from a naval vessel. Photo: Raytheon.
A Standard Missile (SM)-2 missile being launched from a naval vessel. Photo: Raytheon.

The possible sale includes major defense equipment (MDE) of 17 SM-2 Block IIIB Standard Missiles and 17 SM-2 Missile Containers. The MDE portion of the sale is $60 million.

The FMS also includes Non-MDE of personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical data, U.S. government and contractor technical assistance, and other related logistics support.

The prime contractor for the sale is Raytheon [RTN].

South Korea intends to use the missiles to supplement its existing SM-2 Block IIIA/IIIB inventory and this would  enhance interoperability with U.S. and other allied forces, DSCA said.

Implementation of the sale would not require the assignment of any additional U.S. government or contractor representatives to South Korea but in-country visits will be required on a temporary basis in conjunction with program technical oversight and support requirements.