Republic of Korea to receive precision guided munitions
GBU31/32/38 JDAM. (Photo: USAF)
Boeing to provide precision-guided munitions to ROK as part of a possible $258 million FMS.
The US State Department has approved a possible FMS of precision-guided munitions and related equipment to the Republic of Korea (ROK).
The contract has been valued at around $258 million and Boeing will be the principal contractor.
The ROK requested to buy 3,953 Joint Direct Attack Munition Guidance Kits, KMU-556 for GBU-31, 1,981 JDAM Guidance Kits, KMU-572 for GBU-38; and 1,179 JDAM Guidance Kits, KMU-572 for GBU-38 and 1,755 FMU-139 Fuze Systems.
DSU-42/B Detectors, Laser Illuminated Target for GBU-56, weapon spare parts, US Government and contractor engineering and support are also included in the contract.
JDAM guidance kits convert unguided bombs into all-weather smart munitions. JADM-equipped bombs are guided by an integrated inertial guidance system coupled to a GPS receiver.
Currently, JDAM kits are integrated onto aircraft platforms including the F-16, the ROK is likely to install their JADM kits onto their KF-16 fighter aircraft, which have been based on the F-16C/D.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, JDAM continues to be used by US forces and more than 26 international customers, including the ROK who reportedly have already received 1040 units.
This deal could be perceived as part of the ROK's broader military preparation for the transfer of wartime operational control from the hands of the US.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![DSEI 2025: BAE Systems FalconWorks and Lockheed Martin Skunk Works to collaborate on new UAV range]()
DSEI 2025: BAE Systems FalconWorks and Lockheed Martin Skunk Works to collaborate on new UAV range
The uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) will start off in the electronic warfare space, according to the companies, to support existing crewed frontline platforms, with many major details still to be disclosed.
-
![DSEI 2025: MGI Engineering launches new deep strike OWE TigerShark]()
DSEI 2025: MGI Engineering launches new deep strike OWE TigerShark
The British-built long-range strike one-way effector (OWE) is the latest offering from the company, which demonstrated its smaller OWE SkyShark in July.
-
![DSEI 2025: MBDA’s new SPEAR GLIDE munition breaks cover]()
DSEI 2025: MBDA’s new SPEAR GLIDE munition breaks cover
The high-mass saturation weapon, positioned as a low-cost variant in the SPEAR portfolio, could be indigenously produced by any future customer, according to MBDA.
-
![How the MQ-9B’s interoperability is driving future market success]()
How the MQ-9B’s interoperability is driving future market success
With numerous nations, including the UK, committing a combined US$9.99 billion to acquiring the MQ-9B MALE UAV according to Shephard Defence Insight data, the capability now looks set to soar as UAV spending rises globally.
