US approves torpedo sale for Seoul’s P-8s
The US State Department has authorised a possible Foreign Military Sale for 31 MK 54 lightweight torpedoes to the South Korea to equip its navy’s P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.
Worth some $72 million, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress on 27 August that it had approved the request from the South Korean government.
Also included in the request for the Raytheon-made weapons are torpedo containers, recoverable exercise torpedoes with containers, fleet exercise section and fuel tanks, air launch accessories for fixed wing aircraft, torpedo spare parts, training, publications, support and test equipment.
South Korea is a political and economic power in east Asia and the western Pacific and a key partner of the US in ensuring peace and stability in the region, the US government says, adding that it ‘is vital to US national interests’ to assist the nation in maintaining a strong and ready self-defence capability.
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