US Modernizing Patriot Missile Defense System In S Korea

The United States has commenced modernizing its Patriot missile interceptors deployed in South Korea.

The 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade of the US Army has finalized an eight-month interceptors renovation program, as a result of which old systems were replaced and modern technologies were introduced, KBS reported Wednesday.

Currently, the US servicemen are using 12 PAC-2 and PAC-3 missile types in South Korea.

The United States and South Korea agreed to continue to exert pressure on North Korea, saying that the possible retaliatory measures would include enhancing exercises and the deployment of additional US strategic assets, including supplementary US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) units.

The Patriot missile defense system, produced by Raytheon, has been used for decades. They turned popular by its deployment against Saddam Hussein’s Scud missiles in the first Gulf War.

The system detects, identifies, and destroys ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, drones, and threatening aircraft.

The project is the largest Patriot modernization effort ever carried out outside a depot facility. The 35th Brigade worked with contractors from Raytheon and the Lower Tier Project Office to complete the project, which replaced outdated technology on the system.