NEWTOWN, Conn. - South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) is moving ahead with the purchase of the Taurus missile to arm its combat aircraft. This decision was made during a meeting presided over by South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-Jin, according to a report by Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Another option for South Korea is the Lockheed Martin Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), but the the U.S. government has not approved the export of this missile to the country. The Taurus missile is manufactured by Taurus Systems GmbH, a joint venture involving MBDA Deutschland and Saab Bofors Dynamics. South Korea could purchase 170-200 Taurus missiles. This deal could be worth more than $290 million.
The Taurus will arm South Korean combat aircraft such as the F-15K fighter. South Korea wants a new precision strike missile for use against underground bunkers and other reinforced structures.
Source: Forecast Intelligence Center
Associated URL:
http://www.forecastinternational.com
Author: L. Dickerson, Missile Systems
