A US mobile ground-based air defense system, designed to counter cruise missiles and drones, as well as rockets, artillery, and mortars, was spotted deployed to US Forces Korea (USFK).
Pentagon photos showed US Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George and officials visiting South Korea and posing in front of an Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC) system launcher at a Patriot tactical site earlier this week.
This marks the system’s first time being stationed at an overseas US military base, although a USFK official informed the Korea Herald that the service “cannot fully confirm the matter due to security issues,” while stating that the “latest report is aligned with the USFK’s modernization goals.”
Meanwhile, another photo caption stated that the officials “visited multiple locations across the Korean peninsula to meet with soldiers, leaders, as well as strengthen the US Army’s ties with the Republic of Korea forces.”
The visit and deployment seem to be efforts to reinforce Seoul’s defense posture amid potential drone threats from North Korea and China, Yonhap reported.
Last week, Pyongyang leader Kim Jong Un oversaw testing on an attack uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) and ordered greater use of artificial intelligence in the technology, calling drones a “major military activity asset” and a “top-priority” in modernizing its armed forces.
Meanwhile, Beijing has been developing its drone arsenal, converting retired J-6 fighter jets into combat UAVs and parading what appears to be a potential carrier-based stealth combat drone.
Bridging the Gap in Air Defense
Featuring launchers and interceptors, the IFPC system protects fixed and semi-fixed military assets against threats traveling at low to medium altitudes and in short to medium ranges.
It complements short-range air defense (SHORAD) systems, the Patriot system, and the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system.
Last year, the US Army awarded Leidos subsidiary Dynetics a $4.1-billion contract to supply the IFPC Increment 2.
It also comes with High Energy Laser and High-Power Microwave configurations.
