The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency has notified Congress of an estimated $2.5bn foreign military sale to South Korea for the KF-16 upgrade programme.
Approved by the US State Department, the potential sale for the upgrade of 134 KF-16C/D Block 52 aircraft includes 150 modular mission computers (MMC 7000AH), 150 active electronically scanned array radars (AESA), 150 AN/APX-125 or equivalent advanced identification friend or foe (AIFF) systems.
The proposed package also includes 150 LN-260 embedded global positioning system/inertial navigation systems, 150 upgraded radar warning receivers (RWR), 150 AN/ALQ-213 EW management units, three joint helmet mounted cueing system (JHMCS) II Group C Helmets and 150 JHMCS II Group A and B, 31 joint mission planning systems (JMPS).
The sale will also cover one CNU-411C/E, WCMD Container, two ATM-65 Maverick training missiles, two ATM-84 Harpoon Block II training missiles, two AGM-84 Harpoon Block II guidance units, two CATM-9X-2 captive air training missiles, and one AIM-9X-2 guidance unit.
South Korea’s KF-16 upgrade programme is to better support its air defence needs, while also ensuring interoperability and continued relations with the US Government.
The modernised KF-16 fleet will allow the South Korea to protect and maintain critical airspace and provide a powerful defensive and offensive capability to preserve the security of the Korean peninsula and its vital national assets.
Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman will serve as the principal contractors.
