The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible foreign military sale (FMS) to the Republic of Korea (RoK) for four RQ-4 Block 30 (I) Global Hawk remotely piloted aircraft and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $1.2 billion.

Korea has requested a possible sale of four RQ-4 Block 30(I) Global Hawk remotely piloted aircraft with the enhanced integrated sensor suite (EISS). The EISS includes infrared/electro-optical, synthetic aperture radar imagery and ground moving target indicator, mission control element, launch and recovery element, signals intelligence package, an imagery intelligence exploitation system, test equipment, ground support, operational flight test support, communications equipment, spare and repair parts, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical data, US Government and contractor technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support.

The estimated cost is $1.2 billion. Korea needs this intelligence and surveillance capability to assume primary responsi-bility for intelligence gathering from the US-led Combined Forces Command in 2015. The proposed sale will maintain adequate intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities and will ensure the alliance is able to monitor and deter regional threats in 2015 and beyond. Korea will have no difficulty absorbing these systems into its armed forces.

The principal contractor will be Northrop Grumman Corporation. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.