The State Department has approved a possible $1.4 billion Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to South Korea for Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-3) missiles and associated equipment, parts, and logistical support, the Pentagon said this week.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the potential sale on Nov. 5.
The primary contractors would be Raytheon [RTN] and Lockheed Martin [LMT] if Congress approves the deal.
The requested sale includes 136 PAC-3 missiles with containers, two Flight Test Targets (Patriot-As-A-Target or PAAT modified short-range tactical ballistic missiles), two PAC-3 telemetry kits, 10 fire solution computers, 18 launcher stations modification kits, eight missile round trainers, eight PAC-3 slings, 10 automated logistics system kits, and 13 installation kits for TPX-58 Identification Friend or Foe with KIV-77.
It also would include PAC-3 Ground Support Equipment (GSE), 10 Shorting Plugs, 77 Defense Advanced Global Positioning Receivers (DAGRs) and Installation Kits, a Patriot Fiber Optic Modem, eight Guided Missile Transporters, four AN/VRC-90E Radios with Installation Kits, spare and repair parts, support equipment, communication equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training, and training equipment.
This additionally includes U.S. Government and contractor logistics and technical support services, Quality Assurance Teams’ support, and other related elements of logistics and program support.
The proposed FMS would allow South Korea to effectively conduct and sustain BMD operations while serving as a core component of South Korea’s future Korea Air Missile Defense (KAMD), DSCA said in a statement. This sale will “increase interoperability between the [Korea’s] ground and sea-based (Aegis) BMD forces and U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), which not only affects [Korea’s] national security but also the security of the U.S. personnel assigned in [Korea].”
It also highlighted that the sale would decrease South Korean reliance on the deployment of U.S. combat forces to maintain stability because it provides South Korea with the capability to defeat lower tier Ballistic Missile Defense threats.
Implementing the FMS would not require the assignment of additional personnel to Korea, but the U.S. Government or contractor personnel are required, on a temporary basis, to conduct in-country visits in conjunction with program technical and management oversights and support requirements.