Seoul committee approves development of new multiple rocket launcher

SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will develop a new multiple rocket
launcher that can also fire off guided rockets, the defense procurement office
said Wednesday.
The new Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) will be developed by 2013 to replace
the country's aging rocket launcher systems. A total of 73 MLRS are scheduled to
be produced under a first phase of mass production that will begin in 2014, the
Defense Acquisition Program Administration said.
The 154-billion won (US$117 million) development project was approved at a
meeting of the Defense Acquisition Project Execution Committee, chaired by
Defense Minister Lee Sang-hee.
"Once the new MLRS are commissioned following a successful development, they will
not only greatly improve the Army's artillery power, but will also have a great
impact on our economic development through exports," an official from the
acquisition agency told reporters.
The developer for the new rocket launcher will be named through future biddings,
according to the official.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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