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The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Friday it has notified Congress of a plan to sell a large number of sophisticated missiles to South Korea. In a news release posted on its Web site, the Pentagon affiliated-agency said South Korea has requested to purchase 102 ship-to-air SM-2 Block IIIA/B Tactical Standard missiles, 102 air-to-air AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles and associated equipment and services.

"The proposed sale will enhance South Korea's defensive capabilities and increase interoperability with U.S. and multi-national forces supporting coalition operations," the release said. "The country already has these missiles in its inventory, and will have no difficulty absorbing these items."

The SM-2 missiles are to be deployed on 4,000-ton-class or 7,000-ton-class destroyers which South Korea has developed or is constructing under naval force improvement programs dubbed KDX-II and KDX-III.

The Aim-9X missile is a key weapons system for 40 F-15K fighter jets that Boeing Co. has been delivering to South Korea under a US$5 billion deal.

The prime contractor for both types of missiles would be Raytheon Systems Co. in Arizona, the release said.

South Korea buys most of its weapons from the United States, which stations 28,000 troops here to deter possible aggression from North Korea.

Washington, April 20 (Yonhap News)