The State Department approved a possible $110 million Foreign Military Sale (FMS) request to South Korea for UGM-84L Harpoon Block II missiles and associated equipment, parts and logistical support.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the potential sale on Nov. 17.
The requested FMS would include major defense equipment (MDE) of 19 UGM-84L Harpoon Block II All-Up-Round Missiles and 13 Block II upgrade kits. The MDE value is estimated at $100 million.
The sale would also include Guidance Control Units (GCU) spares; recertification and reconfiguration support; spare and repair parts; tools and tool sets; support equipment; personnel training and training equipment; publication and technical data; U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistical support services; and other related elements of logistics support.
The prime contractor for the sale would be Boeing [BA].
Morocco would use the missiles to supplement its existing Harpoon missile capability, supplanting current inventories and bringing the South Korean Navy’s Anti-Surface Warfare performance up to existing regional baselines, DSCA said.
DSCA noted the sale would enhance interoperability among the United States, South Korea, and other allied forces.
The agency also highlighted “It is vital to the U.S. interest to assist our South Korean ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability.”
Implementation of the sale would not require U.S. government or contractor representatives to travel to South Korea but in-country visits are required on a temporary basis in conjunction with program technical oversight and support requirements.