The Japanese Ministry of Defense (MOD) announced this week its intention to halt deployment of the Aegis Ashore missile defense system citing difficulties in ensuring that rocket boosters from the interceptors do not fall in populated areas. The real reason may actually have to do with the radar system, namely SPY-6 and SPY-7. Yoshihiro Inaba has the story.

According to a document released by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), the Guided Missile Destroyer JS Maya (DDG-179)「まや」 and her crew will undergo a "capability test".

Despite the COVID-19 crisis, South Korea's defense budget remains mostly unaffected. Budget reductions in the "2020-2024 mid-term defense acquisition plan" will be limited to programs deemed as "non essential" and to a limited number of foreign procurement programs.

Two more E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft were delivered to Japan by Northrop Grumman. There are now three Advanced Hawkeyes in the country.

Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) announced on October 10 it has signed a US$565 million contract with the South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) for the first of three Gwanggaeto-III Batch II (KDX-III Batch II) destroyers for the Republic of Korea Navy (ROK Navy).

South Korea's Ministry of National Defense (MND) unveiled on August 14 an ambitious mid-term defense plan for 2020-2024. In addition to known projects (KDX III Batch II and KSS III Batch II) the plan calls for the design of two new naval projects for the ROK Navy: An LPX-II aircraft carrier and an arsenal ship.

South Korea approved plans to construct the second batch of three destroyers, called KDX III Batch II, by 2028 with a budget of around 3.9 trillion won (US$3.3 billion), according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).