Introduction of US Spy Planes Hits Snag

The government plan to purchase Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from the United States is expected to hit a snag as the National Assembly cut almost all the budget proposed for the project in late December.

Parliament cut 5.8 billion won of 5.85 billion won proposed for an initial contract for the introduction of high-altitude UAVs, citing a U.S. arms sale ban on the spy plane, Defense Ministry officials said Wednesday.

Seoul has sought to purchase four Global Hawks by 2011 as part of efforts to build independent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities for its planned takeover of wartime operational control of its military from the United States in 2012.

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