PAC-2 (upgraded to PAC-3) was NEVER about "nuclear umbrella." It was about the protection from the SCUDs that could reach to Kunsan AB with their extended range.

Could you explain me something?

I thought the PAC-3 stationed in Korea were part of "nuclear umbrella" promised by USA to Korea. Is it right?

But I ask how effective is the PAC-2 when compared to the PAC-3s? Now that the ROK is trying to develop its "indigenous" KMD, when will the KMD be up and running? Is the PAC-2 sufficient to provide the protection to the low-level missile threats from North Korea as part of the KMD?

I also wonder why they FINALLY got the PAC-2s now — instead of four years ago. I wonder if it was because of the pressure from Gen Bell and Gen Sharp — reporting to the US Congress — that pushed the ROK to finally commit. Or was it the Germans who were getting fed up with the ROK stall? We'll never know.

"It will be interesting to see if this fielding of these PATRIOTs will allow the US military to withdraw the current PATRIOT brigade stationed in Korea in 2012 when the KAMD network is considered operational in order to further reduce the US force footprint in the country."

This is a good question. The PAC-2 compared to the PAC-3 is like comparing apples to oranges when looking at sheer firepower. Do you really think it is a substitute for the current PAC-3s in country at Suwon AB, Osan AB, Kunsan AB and Taegu? If the US considers pulling out its PAC-3s from Suwon because the PAC-2s have arrived in Seoul and Suwon, how much of a sacrifice in protection for its assets in Osan AB and Camp Humphreys will the USFK be willing to accept? Is the Suwon AB PAC-3s flagged to protect the CFC in Seoul — and by extension Seoul — and will it be removed once the CFC relocates?

As it stands, I think the USFK is stuck. The PAC-2s will not provide near the protection as the PAC-3s. However, 2012 is fast approaching and that's the key date. After that, it is the ROK's job. If the ROK doesn't have its "indigenous" KMD up and running by then, it is going to be a face-off.

Even now the ROK is talking of buying an X-band radar for its KMD, but whose X-band are we talking about? Talk is cheap — and the ROK has showb that it will talk for years without any action. Just my opinion, but I believe there is a BIG stall in the future over this ROK KMD — just to ensure the PAC-3s remain in Korea.

Obviously, the air forces, ROKAF and USAF, wanted to ensure that there would be more than a cavalier attitude about firing air defense missiles, so there were strict procedures put place to get air force clearance before an air target was engaged.

Now that the ROK and US are developing independent Command and Control systems, I am sure that a whole new set of procedures must be worked out in this area. Fog of war, language barriers and minutes if not seconds to decide, let's hope they get it right.

They also had domestic political concerns that by buying top of the line missile defense from the US it would put pressure on them to join the US missile defense system being developed in the Pacific.

Buying the second hand PATRIOTs allows Korea to say thanks but no thanks to the US missile defense shield while also paying a cheaper price tag while also continuing to move towards developing their own missile defense system the KAMD.

Gerry this what the KT article had to say about where the missiles will be deployed:

Another source said some have been deployed in Yeongjongdo Island, Incheon, an Air Force base in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province and Mount Hwangbyeong in Gangwon Province, while other systems are at a testing and evaluation site of the Agency for Defense Development in Seosan, South Chungcheong Province.

I heard that the PAC system is just a temporary measure until the KM-SAM program, developed from Russian S-300 technology, is developed. Isn’t it the reason why Korea decided to purchase the second hand missiles from Germany?