United States Approves Sale of 3 AEGIS Ship Sets for Republic of Korea Navy.

The Republic of Korea (ROK) has requested a possible sale of 3 Aegis Shipboard Combat Systems, 3 MK-41 Vertical Launching Systems, 3 Common Data Link Management Systems, 3 AN/UPX-29(V) Identification Friend or Foe Interrogators, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, tool and test equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical, engineering, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support.

The total estimated cost is $1.91 billion.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by meeting the legitimate security and defense needs of an ally and partner nation. The ROK is one of the major political and economic powers in East Asia and the Western Pacific and a key partner of the United States in ensuring peace and stability in that region. It is vital to the U.S. interest to assist our Korean ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability.

The Aegis Combat System will provide enhanced capabilities on the ROK’s naval ships to defend against possible aggression and protect sea lines of communications. Aegis is the keystone in the ROK Navy’s efforts to upgrade its shipboard combat and ballistic missile defense capability. The ROK will have no difficulty integrating this system into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractors will be Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and Training in Morristown, New Jersey; Raytheon Company in Andover, Massachusetts; General Dynamics Armament Systems in Burlington, Vermont. Although offsets are requested, they are unknown this time and will be determined during negotiations between the ROK and contractors.

Implementation of this proposal sale will not require any additional U.S. government or U.S. contractor personnel in Korea. However, U.S. Government or contractor personnel in-country visits will be required on a temporary basis in conjunction with program technical oversight and support requirements for approximately five years.