South Korea Budgets $40M for Global Hawks in 2011

South Korea’s military will bring forward its planned deployment of high-altitude UAS and stealth fighter jets to increase its surveillance capability and bolster its deterrence toward North Korea.

The original plans were to deploy UAS by 2015 but a decision was taken recently to speed up the deployment of the world’s most advanced reconnaissance planes to strengthen the country’s intelligence abilities.

Seoul asked Washington last year to sell it the U.S.-made RQ-4 Global Hawk spy planes and expects to receive final approval for the planned purchase from the U.S. Defense Department in June, the source said on the condition of anonymity.

“If the U.S. responds favourably to our letter by June, we expect to sign a preliminary contract on the purchase of the Global Hawks by the end of this year,” the source said.

A budget of 45.2 billion won (US$40.4 million) has been allocated this year for partial payment of the Global Hawks.

Source: YonHap News Agency

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