South Korea opts for Israeli Green Pine radar system
17 Feb 2009
Seoul: The South Korean military has decided to buy the Israeli Oren Yarok (Green Pine) radar warning system. The deal is potentially worth $215 million and will be one of the largest weapons sales ever between Israel and South Korea, a report in the Korea Times said.
The system will be ready for operational use by 2012.
According to the report, the United States and France also submitted bids. The US, however, was only willing to offer a less advanced radar system.
Israel Aerospace Industries had previously lost out on a tender to sell the Phalcon radar warning system, after South Korea came under US pressure to favour American companies.
The Green Pine, developed by Elta, serves as Israel's main radar warning system.
An early version of the system has also been sold to India, which has now evolved a more advanced version, called the Swordfish.