The U.S. State Department said on the 5th (local time) that it approved South Korea's export of 624 GBU-39 SDB small-diameter precision-guided bombs and related equipment.
The State Department issued a press release on its website the same day. The total value of the weapons approved for export to South Korea this time is $111.8 million (about 165 billion won), and the transaction will be conducted through foreign military sales (FMS), under which the U.S. government and the Korean government sign a direct contract.
The shipments imported from the United States are expected to be mounted on and operated by the Air Force's F-15K and F-35A fighter jets.
The GBU-39 SDB is a precision-guided weapon manufactured by Boeing. Its small size allows it to carry more rounds than other bombs, and it uses a precision guidance method that combines GPS (Global Positioning System) and INS (inertial navigation system) for higher strike accuracy. It was first deployed in combat in 2006 and is operated by the United States as well as Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, and Australia.
The State Department said the export approval is intended to support U.S. diplomatic and national security goals by strengthening the security capabilities of South Korea, a key ally that contributes to political stability and economic development in the Indo-Pacific region.