US approves South Korean US$52.1 million Sidewinder missiles deal
South Korean has requested 42 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II+ Tactical Missiles. (Photo: RMD)
Raytheon Missiles and Defense will provide dozens of AIM-9X Sidewinder Tactical and Training Missiles for the South Korean military.
The US State Department has approved a US$52.1 million Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to South Korea for AIM-9X Block II and Block II+ Sidewinder Missiles.
The South Korean government has requested 42 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II+ Tactical Missiles, 10 AIM-9X Sidewinder Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM), 5 AIM-9X Block II+ Sidewinder Tactical Guidance Units (GU) and 3 AIM-9X Sidewinder CATM Guidance Units (GU).
Raytheon Missiles and Defense (RMD) has been selected as the deal’s principal contractor, while the package will also include missile containers, spare parts and support equipment.
According to Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the sale would continue to support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the US ‘by improving the security of a major ally’ in the Indo-Pacific region.
‘South Korea will have no difficulty absorbing these articles into its armed forces,’ the agency noted.
The DSCA, which delivered the required certification to notify Congress earlier this week, added that US government and contractor personnel would visit South Korea to offer program technical oversight, maintenance support and training in country.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![M-345 officially enters service as trainer for Italian Air Force]()
M-345 officially enters service as trainer for Italian Air Force
The Leonardo M-345 High-Efficiency Trainer (HET) basic/advanced trainer is similar to the M-346, which is the second part of the Italian Air Force’s training system, but is a substantially smaller and less powerful aircraft.
-
![Belgium’s F-35A order progresses at it awaits first jet delivery by late 2025]()
Belgium’s F-35A order progresses at it awaits first jet delivery by late 2025
The first aircraft delivery timeline confirmation comes as Belgium weighs up an additional F-3A buy from Lockheed Martin.
-
![Trump’s drone directives win US industry support but questions remain over ability to challenge Chinese market dominance]()
Trump’s drone directives win US industry support but questions remain over ability to challenge Chinese market dominance
New presidential directives for UAV production are intended to remove bureaucratic barriers and support suppliers.
-
![Enhancing education: How CAE is embracing new technology to boost military training]()
Enhancing education: How CAE is embracing new technology to boost military training
In Conversation... Shephard's Gerrard Cowan talks to CAE's Marc-Olivier Sabourin about how the training and simulation industry can help militaries achieve essential levels of readiness by leveraging new technology, innovative procurement methods and a truly collaborative approach.
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: Airbus Helicopters unveils new crewed-uncrewed teaming solution]()
Paris Air Show 2025: Airbus Helicopters unveils new crewed-uncrewed teaming solution
The solution, named HTeaming, has already been tested in flight with a Spanish Navy H135 helicopter and an Airbus Flexrotor uncrewed aerial system (UAS).
