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South Korea Finalizes SM-6 Purchase for Aegis Destroyers

DAPA approved a reduced, staged 530 billion‑won plan intended to boost shipboard air and missile defenses as Seoul also funds a new military communications satellite R&D program.

This photo, taken Sept. 17, 2025, shows a launch ceremony for a new 8,200-ton Aegis destroyer, named the ROKS Dasan Jeong Yakyong, that took place at the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard in the southeastern city of Ulsan, some 310 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (Yonhap)
Image
This file photo, taken Dec. 23, 2020, shows the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, South Korea's arms procurement agency. (Yonhap)

Overview

  • The Defense Project Promotion Committee formally approved the SM-6 acquisition on Friday, May 22, 2026, setting a revised project budget of about 530 billion won and an extended schedule running to 2034.
  • The buy names the U.S. RIM‑174 Standard Missile‑6 as the selected long‑range shipborne interceptor and targets fitment on the new KDX‑III Batch‑II Aegis destroyers and an upgrade to an earlier hull.
  • DAPA and reporting note the plan is scaled back from an earlier 770 billion‑won program and a larger missile tally, with deliveries to be staged under U.S. Foreign Military Sales approvals.
  • The SM‑6 is an active‑radar, long‑range interceptor with published ranges near 400–460 km and engagement altitudes to about 36 km, giving ships an added terminal‑phase capability against aircraft, cruise missiles and anti‑ship/ballistic threats.
  • The committee simultaneously cleared a 1.27 trillion‑won R&D program through 2032 to develop a geostationary military communications satellite and related ground systems to replace aging C2 infrastructure.