Go to contents

USFK upgrades Patriot missile defense system to counter N. Korea

USFK upgrades Patriot missile defense system to counter N. Korea

Posted August. 17, 2017 07:36,   

Updated August. 17, 2017 08:03

한국어

The United States Forces in Korea said on Wednesday that it has completed a large-scale improvement project of the Patriot systems (PAC-2 and PAC-3) operated by the Dragon Brigade (35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade) and confirmed its operational status. The USFK completed the Patriot modernization project intended to counter sophisticated nuclear and missile threats from North Korea in seven months after its kickoff in early January.

 

The USFK has replaced all components of the Patriot systems, including detection radar, engagement control station and communication and generation installations, deployed and operated in the Gunsan Air Base in North Jeolla Province and the Osan Air Base in Gyeonggi Province with the newest versions. According to the USFK, a touch screen and high-tech computer and communication technology of the systems will drastically streamline the existing detection and interception process for missiles fired by an enemy.

“The Dragon Brigade will have the most powerful and advanced defense capability against the lower-tier layer of a ballistic missile among U.S. air defense artillery units. The systems will help soldiers detect the North’s ballistic missiles more precisely and swiftly and destroy,” said the USFK. “This is the largest Patriot modernization project ever conducted outside the U.S. It shows that the U.S. Department of Defense considers nuclear and missile threats from the North very seriously.”



Sang-Ho Yun ysh1005@donga.com