The Aegis destroyer ROKS Jeongjo the Great enters Jeju Naval Base. Yonhap News. 

The South Korean Navy has been informed by the U.S. that its request to introduce the Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC), a key component of Aegis destroyers, has been denied.

According to the Navy on the 19th, the Navy had requested the U.S. Navy last year to consider the possibility of exporting CEC, stating that it was pursuing the acquisition of Jeongjo the Great-class Aegis destroyers to counter North Korean threats.

However, the U.S. Navy refused, stating that the U.S. government's export control and technology transfer policies do not support the export of CEC to South Korea.

While Australia and Japan have previously equipped their Aegis destroyers with CEC, South Korea has been informed of a refusal for export.

In response, the Navy stated, "We are exploring various methods to prepare for the increasing air defense threats" and explained, "We are pursuing the installation of a Korean-type Maritime Integrated Air Defense System, which is similar to the U.S. CEC, on domestically developed combat vessels."

It added, "Continuous cooperation and discussions are planned between South Korea and the U.S. regarding the acquisition of U.S. Aegis CEC and its interoperability with the domestically developed Maritime Integrated Air Defense System."

Yonhap News