The Korean Navy’s Aegis-guided destroyer King Sejong the Great will participate in its first ballistic missile defence exercise with the US Navy in 2010.

The vessel will enter US waters and undergo Combat System Ship Qualifications Trials (CSSQT).

The plan of the exercise is expected to be finalised at the world’s largest international maritime exercise, Rim of the Pacific, in Hawaii in August.

The CSSQT will test the ship’s weapons systems and manoeuvrability while providing equipment operating training for troops.

To support and strengthen the ships capabilities it will be equipped with the Standard Missile-6 and the Standard Missile-2 Block IV surface-to-air missiles.

The ship has recently undergone a series of operational tests and is scheduled to be deployed for active operations from 1 January 2010.