South Korea used ATACMS and Hyunmoo-2 in exercise, but one missile fell on military base
South Korea and the United States used Hyunmoo-2 and ATACMS missiles in a joint military exercise.
Here's What We Know
The militaries of both countries used under two tactical surface-to-air ATACMS ballistic missiles. This was the U.S. and Republic of Korea's response to North Korea launching its ballistic missile over Japan.
????????????????????????In response to the North Korean missile shootings,South Korean military, together with their US colleagues, launched four missiles from ATACMS installations and one Hyunmoo ballistic missile fell in the base
- AZ ???????????????? (@AZgeopolitics) October 5, 2022
Reason for yesterday fire in South Korea airport???? pic.twitter.com/tFysBr0iyJ
The military exercise involved M270 MLRS multiple rocket launchers. Note that the European M270, in contrast to the US, cannot use tactical missiles ATACMS with a launch range of up to 300 km.
In 1997, the Republic of Korea spent nearly $300 million to buy ATACMS of Block 1 modification with a launch range of 145 km. Seoul purchased a total of 111 missiles and 29 M270 MLRS launchers. Two years later, Lockheed Martin received nearly $81 million to develop 111 missiles in Block 1A modification with a range of up to 300 km.
But an unpleasant incident occurred during the exercise. South Korea launched two Hyunmoo-2 missiles, but one of them fell on the territory of a military base. Residents reported an explosion, but headquarters said the missile did not explode and the fire was caused by burning rocket fuel.
