The U.S. State Department has approved a potential Foreign Military Sale to the Republic of Korea of AGM-65G2 Maverick laser-guided missiles and associated support valued at approximately $34 million, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on October 1.
Under the proposed deal, South Korea has requested 44 AGM-65G2 air-to-surface missiles along with U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services, as well as other elements of program support. The proposed sale is intended to strengthen South Korea’s precision strike capabilities and enhance its interoperability with U.S. and allied forces in the Indo-Pacific region.
The State Department said the sale supports U.S. foreign policy and national security interests by reinforcing the defense capabilities of a key ally.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major ally that is an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific region,” the agency said.
The acquisition of additional Maverick missiles will expand South Korea’s capacity to counter evolving regional threats and deter potential aggression.
“This proposed sale will improve the Republic of Korea’s capability to meet current and future threats by increasing its critical air defense capability to deter aggression in the region and to ensure interoperability with U.S. forces,” the agency added.
South Korea already operates the Maverick system and will be able to integrate the new missiles seamlessly into its existing arsenal, the report noted. The sale will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractor for the deal will be RTX Corporation, based in Arlington, Virginia. While South Korea typically seeks industrial participation as part of major defense acquisitions, the U.S. government stated that “at this time, the U.S. Government is not aware of any offset agreement proposed in connection with this potential sale.” Any offset agreement, if pursued, will be negotiated directly between Seoul and RTX.
Implementation of the sale will not require any additional U.S. government or contractor personnel to be stationed in South Korea, and there will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness.
The AGM-65 Maverick, developed originally by Hughes Aircraft in the 1960s, is a widely deployed precision-guided air-to-surface missile used for close air support. It is one of the most common tactical missiles in the Western arsenal, capable of engaging a broad range of targets including armored vehicles, air defense systems, ships, ground transport, and fuel storage sites.
The missile entered U.S. Air Force service in 1972 and has been exported to more than 30 countries. It is certified on 25 different aircraft platforms and has seen combat use in multiple conflicts, including the Vietnam War, the Yom Kippur War, the Iran-Iraq War, and the Gulf War, as well as other regional operations. Its combination of reliability, accuracy, and versatility has made it a core element of close air support and precision strike missions for more than five decades.
The sale comes amid heightened regional tensions and continued efforts by the U.S. and its allies to strengthen deterrence capabilities against evolving threats from North Korea and other regional actors. Expanding South Korea’s precision strike options not only reinforces its national defense but also enhances joint operational effectiveness with U.S. and allied air forces.