South Korea and Taiwan have stalled their purchase of Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) surface-to-air missile systems, but India has emerged as a potential customer. Sources say India has asked the USA to provide information on PAC-3 as the Asian country looks to add a ballistic missile defence capability.
Taiwan planned to purchase three PAC-3 systems last year, but the acquisition has been held up by legislature approval. The defence ministry in March resubmitted a proposal to purchase the systems, with other US-made defence equipment, but sources say approval this year remains uncertain.
South Korea has been mulling over a PAC-3 purchase for several years as part of its long-delayed SAM-X surface-to-air missile programme. Industry sources say Seoul has not yet set aside sufficient funds for the purchase and is looking at acquiring secondhand PAC-2s.
Source: Flight International