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 )