South Korea to receive U.S. Maverick missiles in $34M arms package to deter threats
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The U.S. State Department has approved a $34 million sale of Maverick tactical missiles to South Korea. The move bolsters Seoul’s airpower and regional deterrence amid growing Indo-Pacific tensions.
On October 1, 2025, the U.S. State Department authorized a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Republic of Korea for AGM-65G2 Maverick tactical missiles, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. Valued at an estimated $34 million, the package includes 44 missiles along with engineering and logistics support. The announcement comes as the Indo-Pacific faces increasing security pressures, underlining Washington’s determination to keep Seoul well-equipped against regional challenges.
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By reinforcing its strike capacity with a weapon that is proven, compatible, and quickly deployable, South Korea is shoring up its air force in ways that directly address immediate threats (Picture source: Wikimedia)
For South Korea’s air force, the Maverick is not a new name but rather a trusted addition to its arsenal. The AGM-65G2 is designed for precision strikes against armored vehicles, hardened bunkers, and naval targets. Using infrared guidance, the missile can be employed day or night and in poor weather, giving pilots flexibility in complex combat environments. The Republic of Korea will be able to deploy these weapons directly from its existing F-16 Fighting Falcons and F-15K Slam Eagles, two platforms central to its deterrence posture. This compatibility means the missiles can be fielded without delay, strengthening operational readiness almost immediately.
The Maverick’s combat record spans more than five decades. First used in the later stages of the Vietnam War, it became a familiar presence in U.S. operations from the Gulf War through to Iraq and Afghanistan. It proved effective against armored columns in desert warfare, as well as hardened positions and moving naval targets. More than 70,000 have been produced and supplied to over two dozen allied air forces, a testament to both its versatility and staying power on the modern battlefield.
Although newer precision strike weapons like the JASSM or Brimstone offer extended range or advanced targeting networks, the Maverick remains a practical choice. It is relatively inexpensive, combat-proven, and adaptable to multiple missions. For South Korea, which already operates advanced long-range missiles, the AGM-65G2 fills a tactical layer of its strike capability, an asset to be employed quickly and in numbers, complementing more sophisticated standoff weapons.
Strategically, this sale resonates beyond the technical specifications. For Seoul, it reinforces deterrence against North Korea’s mix of armored divisions and growing missile arsenal. It also signals continued U.S. commitment at a time when China’s assertiveness is expanding across the region and Russia is looking for new defense partnerships in Asia. By reinforcing interoperability with U.S. forces, South Korea’s air force ensures it can respond in a coordinated fashion should regional tensions escalate.
The principal contractor will be RTX Corporation, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. While the $34 million price tag is modest compared to major procurement programs, the decision reflects a careful balance of cost and capability. Similar contracts have been awarded in recent years to allies such as Taiwan and several NATO members, confirming that the Maverick remains a go-to option for countries needing a reliable strike missile without embarking on more expensive acquisition programs.
This approval underscores a larger reality: not every procurement that matters comes with a billion-dollar price tag. By reinforcing its strike capacity with a weapon that is proven, compatible, and quickly deployable, South Korea is shoring up its air force in ways that directly address immediate threats. At a moment when the security balance in Northeast Asia is shifting, the Maverick sale is both a practical enhancement and a political signal of the enduring depth of the U.S.-ROK defense partnership.
Written by Teoman S. Nicanci – Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Teoman S. Nicanci holds degrees in Political Science, Comparative and International Politics, and International Relations and Diplomacy from leading Belgian universities, with research focused on Russian strategic behavior, defense technology, and modern warfare. He is a defense analyst at Army Recognition, specializing in the global defense industry, military armament, and emerging defense technologies.
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The U.S. State Department has approved a $34 million sale of Maverick tactical missiles to South Korea. The move bolsters Seoul’s airpower and regional deterrence amid growing Indo-Pacific tensions.
On October 1, 2025, the U.S. State Department authorized a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Republic of Korea for AGM-65G2 Maverick tactical missiles, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. Valued at an estimated $34 million, the package includes 44 missiles along with engineering and logistics support. The announcement comes as the Indo-Pacific faces increasing security pressures, underlining Washington’s determination to keep Seoul well-equipped against regional challenges.
By reinforcing its strike capacity with a weapon that is proven, compatible, and quickly deployable, South Korea is shoring up its air force in ways that directly address immediate threats (Picture source: Wikimedia)
For South Korea’s air force, the Maverick is not a new name but rather a trusted addition to its arsenal. The AGM-65G2 is designed for precision strikes against armored vehicles, hardened bunkers, and naval targets. Using infrared guidance, the missile can be employed day or night and in poor weather, giving pilots flexibility in complex combat environments. The Republic of Korea will be able to deploy these weapons directly from its existing F-16 Fighting Falcons and F-15K Slam Eagles, two platforms central to its deterrence posture. This compatibility means the missiles can be fielded without delay, strengthening operational readiness almost immediately.
The Maverick’s combat record spans more than five decades. First used in the later stages of the Vietnam War, it became a familiar presence in U.S. operations from the Gulf War through to Iraq and Afghanistan. It proved effective against armored columns in desert warfare, as well as hardened positions and moving naval targets. More than 70,000 have been produced and supplied to over two dozen allied air forces, a testament to both its versatility and staying power on the modern battlefield.
Although newer precision strike weapons like the JASSM or Brimstone offer extended range or advanced targeting networks, the Maverick remains a practical choice. It is relatively inexpensive, combat-proven, and adaptable to multiple missions. For South Korea, which already operates advanced long-range missiles, the AGM-65G2 fills a tactical layer of its strike capability, an asset to be employed quickly and in numbers, complementing more sophisticated standoff weapons.
Strategically, this sale resonates beyond the technical specifications. For Seoul, it reinforces deterrence against North Korea’s mix of armored divisions and growing missile arsenal. It also signals continued U.S. commitment at a time when China’s assertiveness is expanding across the region and Russia is looking for new defense partnerships in Asia. By reinforcing interoperability with U.S. forces, South Korea’s air force ensures it can respond in a coordinated fashion should regional tensions escalate.
The principal contractor will be RTX Corporation, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. While the $34 million price tag is modest compared to major procurement programs, the decision reflects a careful balance of cost and capability. Similar contracts have been awarded in recent years to allies such as Taiwan and several NATO members, confirming that the Maverick remains a go-to option for countries needing a reliable strike missile without embarking on more expensive acquisition programs.
This approval underscores a larger reality: not every procurement that matters comes with a billion-dollar price tag. By reinforcing its strike capacity with a weapon that is proven, compatible, and quickly deployable, South Korea is shoring up its air force in ways that directly address immediate threats. At a moment when the security balance in Northeast Asia is shifting, the Maverick sale is both a practical enhancement and a political signal of the enduring depth of the U.S.-ROK defense partnership.
Written by Teoman S. Nicanci – Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Teoman S. Nicanci holds degrees in Political Science, Comparative and International Politics, and International Relations and Diplomacy from leading Belgian universities, with research focused on Russian strategic behavior, defense technology, and modern warfare. He is a defense analyst at Army Recognition, specializing in the global defense industry, military armament, and emerging defense technologies.
