The State Department approved a possible $1.91 billion Foreign Military Sale (FMS) request to South Korea for Aegis Combat Systems and associated equipment, parts and logistical support.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the potential sale on June 9.
The primary contractors would be Lockheed Martin [LMT], Raytheon [RTN], and General Dynamics [GD]. Offset agreements are requested, but they are unknown at the time of notice and are to be determined during negotiations between South Korea and contractors.
The requested FMS would include three Aegis Shipboard Combat Systems, three MK-41 Vertical Launching Systems, three Common Data Link Management Systems, three AN/UPX-29(V) Identification Friend or Foe Interrogators, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, and tool and test equipment.
The sale would also include U.S. government and contractor technical, engineering, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support.
Aegis would provide enhanced capabilities on Korean 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,” DSCA said in a statement.
DSCA highlighted the importance of helping an ally. “It is vital to the U.S. interest to assist our Korean ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability.”
Implementation of the FMS would not require additional U.S. government or contractor personnel to be posted to Lebanon, but personnel in-country visits would be required on a temporary basis in conjunction with program technical oversight and support requirements for about five years.