South Korea develops new long-range missiles to counter North Korea

South Korea has approved a project on a new long-range missile system to help boost its capabilities to counter North Korea's artillery threats.

South Korea on November 16 approved a project on a new long-range missile system to help strengthen its capabilities to counter North Korea's artillery threats, Yonhap news agency reported.

A statement by South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) was quoted as saying that in the 2017-2020 period, the country will develop and deploy an unguided long-range missile that can be mounted on a new 230-mm multiple rocket launcher system produced by South Korea to counter threats from North Korean artillery.

DAPA spokesman Kim Si-cheol said the new weapon can destroy targets deep inside enemy territory and each missile can destroy an area the size of three football fields.

Under another project, the South Korean government will provide about 18.4 billion won ($16 million) over 27 months until the end of 2019 to develop next-generation 3,000-ton warships, and DAPA plans to sign a contract with Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. to carry out the project by December 2016.

The third project is about the program to purchase F-35 fighter jets and a US-made communications satellite to enhance the overall combat readiness of the South Korean military.

According to News