South Korea has approved three major defense projects, including a long-range rocket system, to help bolster its capabilities to better counter growing North Korean military threats.

    The government's approval comes amid mounting geopolitical uncertainties surrounding the Korean Peninsula as Pyongyang ratchets up its saber rattling and many countries in the region feel uneasy about Donald Trump's surprise victory in last week's US presidential race, state news agency (Yonhap) reported.

    During the 2017-2020 period, Seoul will develop and deploy an unguided projectile that can be mounted on a new 230mm multiple rocket launch system (MRLS) built locally to deal with the North's artillery threats, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said in a statement.

    In another project, the government will inject about 18.4 billion won (US$16 million) for 27 months through the end of 2019 to develop the country's 3,000-ton next-generation Batch-III frigates. The warships are a continuation of the Incheon and Daegu class of ships entering the Navy but will be larger and more capable, according to DAPA.

    The final project involves Seoul's F-35 fighter jet purchase program reached with Lockheed Martin Corp. and a US-built communications satellite to be used for South Korea's military, he said.

    In September, South Korea signed a US$6 billion deal to purchase 40 F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin on the condition that the U.S. defense and aerospace company will provide a satellite as part of the offset package. The defense ministry expects the military satellite deal will enhance the country's overall military readiness.

Source: QNA