U.S. finishes update of Patriot missiles

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U.S. finishes update of Patriot missiles

The United States Forces Korea, the American military command here, said yesterday that it had completed its deployment of the latest Patriot missile systems in South Korea.
“The United States Forces Korea’s 1-43 Air Defense Artillery Battalion has upgraded some of its Patriot Advanced Capability-2 missiles to Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles,” said Major Lee Packnett, public affairs officer of the US Eighth Army. “USFK began the upgrade in September 2001 and finished the job recently.”
He refused to discuss the number of missiles deployed here.
The new systems are part of a planned $11 billion investment over the next several years to upgrade U.S. military capabilities in South Korea, Major Packnett said.
The United States deployed Patriots here in 1994 to answer the threat of missile attacks by North Korea. About 48 missile systems were deployed on the peninsula, military experts here estimated.
The upgraded PAC-3 system contains 16 missiles each, up from four. USFK said the new modes would give it an improved capability to knock down incoming ballistic missiles, cruise missiles or aircraft.


by Ser Myo-ja
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