Egozi: Israeli-Made Radars Play Major Role in South Korea’s Defense

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By Arie Egozi

The two Israeli-made “Green Pine” radar systems play a major role in the protection of South Korea from the missile threat posed by North Korea.

The “Green Pine” radars are a version of the radar systems that are used by the Israeli Arrow anti ballistic missile system

The highly advanced radars have been developed by Elta, a division of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).

Recently, as North Korea’s threats have grown, Seoul has decided to purchase two advanced early warning radars to detect incoming ballistic missiles.

The plan was approved at a regular meeting on arms procurement projects presided over by Defense Minister Han Min-koo, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Agency (DAPA).

The plan is to import the radars in the project starting within this year.

The South Korean military has two Israeli-made Green Pine land-based radars in operation. It is seeking to acquire radars with the maximum range of more than 800 kilometers to better detect ballistic missiles fired by the North.

Initially, the defense authorities earmarked a budget for the purchase of one more radar. But they have revised a mid-term defense plan to buy two more systems.

South Korea is in the process of establishing the so-called Korean Air and Missile Defense system.

The DAPA also said it will push for the production of special ships to support an operation by commandos to remove the enemy’s leadership while continuing the development of indigenous ship defense missiles.