The Republic of Korea Ministry of National Defense announced on 15 October 2001 that Thales Naval Nederland is one of the two final candidates selected for the combat system of the KDX-III Destroyer program for the ROK Navy.
The selection is for the second phase of the procurement process, referred to as the Test and Negotiation phase. Final selection by the ROK MND is anticipated in June 2002.

This preselection confirms Thales' commitment to Korea in the naval field, following the creation of the 50-50 joint venture Samsung Thales Corporation and the prime contractorship for the current KDX-I and II destroyer programmes.

The combat system proposed by Thales Naval Nederland for the KDX-III destroyer programme includes the APAR multifunction radar, the SMART-L volume search radar, the SIRIUS infrared search and track system (IRST), as well as the combat direction system with associated software and interfaces to other equipment.

These systems have already been ordered by the Royal Netherlands Navy and the German Navy for their seven frigates altogether, and are currently undergoing sea trials.
All systems feature the latest technology, such as active phased array radar and doppler radar and the latest generation IRST systems, and are now in series production.

Thales Naval Nederland is very pleased to have been selected and proud of the confidence expressed in its systems and capabilities.