South Korea confirms SM-6 selection for KDX-III destroyers

An SM-6 Block I missile is launched from a US Navy destroyer. South Korea has confirmed selection of the missile for its KDX-III class. (US Navy)

South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has selected the Standard Missile‑6 (SM‑6) for the Republic of Korea Navy's (RoKN's) KDX‑III Aegis destroyers, the agency announced on 22 May. The move marks the first official acknowledgement from Seoul that the interceptor will be fielded by the RoKN.

In a press release, DAPA said it had approved the SM-6 acquisition through the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) framework. The agency added that the SM‑6 will enhance the RoKN's ability to counter a range of threats, including aircraft, cruise missiles, and anti‑ship ballistic missiles, while strengthening its broader ballistic missile defence capability.

DAPA's announcement underscored the dual-role nature of the interceptor, indicating that the missile will support both conventional air defence and extended ballistic missile defence functions within the fleet. The programme is valued at about KRW530 billion (USD350 million).

South Korea's confirmation follows a US State Department approval in November 2023 for a potential FMS sale of up to 38 SM‑6 Block I missiles. The notification, issued by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), covered vertical launch system canisters, training systems, and technical assistance, and formed part of a broader effort to enhance South Korea's ability to address current and future threats.

The SM‑6 will be deployed on the RoKN's KDX‑III Batch 2 destroyers, led by ROKS Jeongjo Daewang, which was commissioned in November 2025. The Batch 2 ships represent an evolution of the KDX-III design, incorporating an enhanced Aegis combat system based on Baseline 9, enabling integrated air and missile defence operations.