US to Provide Aegis Systems for Three More Sejong-Class S. Korean Warships

The United States will provide Aegis missile defense systems for three additional KDX, or Sejong-class destroyers in the South Korean Navy, and two more Japanese Atako-class destroyers, defense contractor Lockheed Martin said in a press release.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Already, four of Japan’s Kongo-class destroyers and two Atago-class destroyers carry the Aegis system, the company said.

"Aegis will join the next three KDX-III Sejong the Great-class destroyers, a multi-purpose destroyer with air and land defense and anti-submarine capabilities," the release stated on Monday.

Also, two more Aegis-equipped warships will join Japan’s fleet in addition to the current six carrying the Aegis system, Lockheed Martin noted.

All five systems will be provided to the two countries under a $490 million contract under which it will also cover equipping additional US Navy warships with Aegis systems, the release added.