The State Department has approved a possible sale to the Republic of Korea of six P-8A maritime patrol aircraft for $2.1 billion, as well as 64 Patriot PAC-3 missiles for $501 million.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of the approval of both sales earlier this week.

The Republic of Korea request includes nine Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio Systems 5 to supply each P-8A aircraft, one for the Tactical Operations Center with two spares, fourteen LN-251 GPS/Inertial navigation systems and 42 AN/AAR-54 Missile Warning Sensors.

The sale also includes commercial engines, Tactical Open Mission Software, Electro-Optical and Infrared MX-20HD systems, AN/AAQ-2(V)1 Acoustic Systems, AN/APY-10 Radars, ALQ-240 Electronic Support Measures, AN/ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispensing Systems and associated logistics and support.

The ROK has operated U.S. manufactured P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft for decades, with the P-8A gradually replacing allied fleets.

Also approved is the sale of the Patriot PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement ballistic missile defense system. The sale is estimated to reach $501 million.

The proposed sale includes 64 missiles, two test missiles, training, spares and support equipment.

The ROK is a key ally in the INDOPACOM theater, according to the State Department. The proposed sale will support U.S. national security by improving Korea's naval capabilities for coalition operations.

Washington approves plane, missile sale to S.Korea
Washington (AFP) Sept 14, 2018 –

The United States on Thursday approved a new arms sale to South Korea worth $2.6 billion, with denuclearization talks stalled between Washington and the North.

Six Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft worth $2.1 billion form the bulk of the sale, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement.

A second contract covers 64 Patriot missiles and support worth $501 million, the agency said.

Congress has 15 days to oppose the sale but that would be unlikely given the close relationship between Seoul and Washington, which stations tens of thousands of its troops on South Korean soil to defend against the threat from nuclear-armed North Korea.

The P-8A Poseidon, made by Boeing, can be used for intelligence and reconnaissance as well as for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare.

"The proposed sale will support US foreign policy and national security objectives by enhancing Korea's naval capabilities to provide national defense and significantly contribute to coalition operations," the agency said.

The Patriots, to be made by Texas-based Lockheed-Martin, are designed to intercept tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and other airborne threats.

South Korea will use the system "to improve its missile defense capability, defend its territorial integrity and deter threats to regional stability," the statement said.

"The proposed sale of this equipment and support does not alter the basic military balance in the region."

US President Donald Trump and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un pledged at a historic June summit to denuclearize the Korean peninsula.

However, no details were agreed, and Washington and Pyongyang have sparred since over what that means and how it will be achieved.