Wednesday, October 05, 2005

Korea, Russia to Start Joint Missile Development

Still Scene from 'Into the Blue'

Korea and Russia on Thursday started an era of shared arms development when they signed a deal to jointly develop medium-range missiles. The deal covers technology transfer from Russia to help Korea develop a K-MSAM medium-range surface-to-air missile that will replace its Hawk missiles.

These will be the first fruits of a memorandum of understanding on joint weapons research and development signed last April by Defense Minister Yoon Kwang-ung and his Russian counterpart Sergei Ivanov.

The K-MSAM missile will be able to detect and intercept enemy planes, helicopters, ballistic missiles and unmanned aircraft within a 50 km target range. It is to be ready for Korean use by 2011.

(englishnews@chosun.com )

No comments: