INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Blue Lantern Level 3 End-Use Check:

Published: Tue 8 Apr 2008 01:14 AM
VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHUL #0702 0990114
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 080114Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9251
INFO RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 6586
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUEPINS/HQ BICE INTEL WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS SEOUL 000702
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR PM/DTCC-BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AU ETTC KOMC KS
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3 END-USE CHECK:
APPLICATION 05-050092404
REF: A) STATE 00025656
1. Per reftel, post contacted the Defense Acquisition
Program Administration (DAPA), Agency of Defense
Development (ADD), and LIG NEX 1 by email, phone and fax.
2. All of our contacts (LTC Hwang Young Joo, M-SAM Program
Manager, DAPA; Dr. Kim Il Suk, M-SAM Program Development,
ADD; Mr. Choi Yoo Chang, Department Chief, Systems
Integration & Management, LIG Nex1; and Mr. Jeong Taik Jin,
Program Analyst, Overseas Procurement Office, LIG Nex1)
confirmed the existence of the Republic of Korea's (ROK) M-
SAM project. The M-SAM is a medium range surface-to-air
missile program that shields the low-mid tier of ROK's air-
defense system.
3. The M-SAM replaces the antiquated HAWK lower-tier
missile defense system with the establishment of 6 new
batteries for the ROK Air Force (ROKAF). The program is
being developed indigenously under the auspices of the ADD
with a target year of 2010 for fielding. The program is in
its final integration phase of testing and evaluation.
4. LTC Hwang Young Joo, M-SAM Program Manager, DAPA
confirmed that LIG NEX1 is officially listed as a DAPA
"procurement company." LIG NEX1 is also the systems
integrator of the entire M-SAM program, which includes:
testing and evaluation of ground weapon control sites and
field units; integration of launchers, ammunition, fire
control systems; integration among search radars-control
site-missile batteries; and interoperability of
communications, ammunition, replacement spare parts, among
other responsibilities.
5. ADD and LIG NEX1 personnel confirmed that the KXD-X9N
was ordered for testing and evaluation, and consists of the
launcher component of the system. As noted in reftel, ADD
and LIG NEX1 told us the part is manufactured by "Leach
International" in the U.S., with a projected shipment date
of April 11, 2008.
VERSHBOW
View as: DESKTOP | MOBILE © Scoop Media