US considers SM-2 sale to South Korea
The US State Department has made a determination approving a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of SM-2 Block IIIB Standard missiles, containers and support to South Korea for $65 million, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on 5 July.
South Korea has requested a possible sale of 17 SM-2 Block IIIB Standard Missiles and 17 SM-2 missile containers. The request also includes publications and technical data; personnel training and training equipment; US government and contractor technical assistance, and other related logistics support.
The missiles will be used by the Republic of Korea Navy to supplement its existing SM-2 Block IIIA/IIIB inventory.
Raytheon Electronic Systems will be the principal contractor of the proposed sale.
The SM-2 features anti-air warfare and limited anti-surface warfare capability against anti-ship missiles and aircraft. It has an effective range of 90nm and an altitude ceiling of 65,000ft. Its Block IIIA and IIIB variants have semi-active radar seeker technologies in interrupted and continuous wave guidance modes.
More from Defence Notes
-
![Amazon Project Kuiper emphasises user-friendly solutions for multi-domain connectivity (Studio)]()
Amazon Project Kuiper emphasises user-friendly solutions for multi-domain connectivity (Studio)
At DSEI 2025, Shephard's Alix Valenti spoke to Project Kuiper's Rich Pang about the importance of enabling seamless communication between allied forces such as NATO members in challenging operational environments.
-
![Israel defence ministry pushes ambitious spending plans for tanks, drones and KC-46 aircraft]()
Israel defence ministry pushes ambitious spending plans for tanks, drones and KC-46 aircraft
The procurement and acceleration production plans – some of which still await approval – across the air and land domains will aim to strengthen the operational needs of the Israel Defense Forces.
-
![US reforms its defence acquisition system to focus on commercial capabilities]()
US reforms its defence acquisition system to focus on commercial capabilities
This shift is planned to accelerate the procurement and fielding of capabilities. As part of this strategy, the US also intends modernise its regulations in an attempt to change its bureaucratic and risk-averse culture.
