WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — South Korea will procure $35 million in Stinger missiles and air-to-air launchers for the recently purchases Apache helicopters, US defense contractor Raytheon announced in a statement on Tuesday.
“This agreement highlights a renewed global interest in air-to-air Stinger as a key component of attack and light attack helicopter mission configurations,” Raytheon said. “Stinger greatly enhances the capabilities of the aircraft to successfully perform today's missions while countering existing threats.”
On Monday, Raytheon announced South Korea would spend $769 million upgrading the country’s Patriot advanced missile defense system. Raytheon’s Patriot is used against ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, aircraft and drones.
Earlier in March 2015, North Korea launched two short-range missiles toward the Sea of Japan amid the annual US-South Korea military exercises. North Korea stated that it viewed the drills as a probable threat, although the United States claimed the drills were of a defensive nature.
The United States has about 28,500 soldiers stationed in South Korea, and has been militarily present in the country for nearly 60 years. The border separating South Korea and North Korea is one of the most heavily militarized zones in the world.
