The South Korean military was approved to purchase $313.9 million in missiles from U.S. manufacturers, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced.

The Republic of Korea was approved to buy up to 94 rounds of SM-2 Block IIIB Standard medium-range surface-to-air missiles and 12 MK97 MOD 0 guidance sections, equipment used to aim the missiles, DSCA said on Friday.

Technical assistance, training, technical data and related logistic support is included in the price tag, the agency said in a release announcing approval from the State Department and notification of Congress of the sale.

"The proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by meeting the legitimate security and defense needs of on the of the closest allies in the INDOPACOM theater," DSCA said.

"The ROK Navy intends to use the SM-2 Block IIIB to supplement it's existing inventory. The proposed sale will provide a defensive capability while enhancing interoperability with U.S. and other allied forces," the agency added.

In 2017, South Korea announced its intention to equip itself with more missiles to counter any threat from North Korea.

The South's then-newly elected President Moon Jae-in called for the relaxation of limits on its missile arsenal after North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile 2,200 miles into space. Its warhead landed near the Japanese island of Hokkaido, and analysts quickly calculated that the demonstrated range of that test shot could reach Los Angeles and perhaps as far as Chicago or New York.

Japan approved for $317M purchase of AMRAAM missiles
Washington (UPI) May 20, 2019 –

The U.S. State Department has approved a possible foreign military sale to Japan for 160 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles.

On Friday, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of the possible sale of the AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM. Raytheon Missile Systems, which manufactures the missiles, will be the primary contractor on the deal.

Included in the contract are containers, weapon support and support equipment, spare and repair parts, U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical and logistical support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support.

Japan also wants to buy one AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM guidance section.

The proposed sale will provide Japan "a critical air defense capability to assist in defending the Japanese homeland and U.S. personnel stationed there," according to DSCA.

The deal is "vital to U.S. national interests to assist Japan in developing and maintaining a strong and effective self-defense capability," the agency said.

The air-to-air missile system is the "world's most sophisticated air dominance weapon" for 25 years, according to Raytheon on its website, though the company notes it can also be surface-launched.

The AMRAAM missile has been a part of the United States' National Capital Region's air defense system since 2005, and is used by 37 other militaries, in addition to the U.S. military.

It has been integrated onto the F-15, F-16, F/A-18, F-22, Typhoon, Gripen, Tornado and Harrier. The AIM-120C-5 and AIM-120C-7 missiles are fully integrated onto the F-35 and support the U.S. Marine Corps' F-35B.