ULSAN < invest Korea

According to Yonhap News,

(SEOUL=Yonhap News) South Korea's arms procurement agency said Tuesday it has decided to develop a guided missile for light-armed helicopters using its own technology.

The decision calls for developing indigenous air-to-ground missiles for the helicopters to replace the current anti-tank missiles of TOW (the Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided Missile System), according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

"The project is to be completed in 2022 for mass production and deployment the following year," DAPA spokesman Kim Si-cheol said in a briefing, adding that the development with a budget of 161.8 billion won (US$145.3 million) will be led by the Agency for Defense Development.

The project has been approved by the defense project committee meeting presided over by Defense Minister Han Min-koo.

"The new missiles are expected to boost our military's ability to detect targets, which will lead to strengthened precision-strike capabilities against tanks," he said.

During the committee meeting, the government also decided to develop a new Ulsan-class frigate "which will fit our Navy's future operational concept," according to the DAPA.

The project to develop the 3,000-ton Batch-III Ulsan-class vessel is expected to be launched in 2016, a DAPA official said, adding that it is expected to cost 3.2 trillion won, including the budget for producing six of the frigates.

A private firm will take charge of the project, with the procurement agency planning to choose the preferred bidder later.

graceoh@yna.co.kr

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