The IFF systems, or secondary surveillance radars, collect data such as origin, course and speed of individual incoming aircraft by automatically sending out interrogation signals. These signals are answered by transponders on board the incoming aircraft.

This data exchange in the military field is based upon encrypted signals that cannot be analyzed or jammed by hostile forces, a statement from EADS Defense Electronics said.

Aircraft identification and flight tracking provides a complete picture of air traffic and helps to avoid traffic collisions or in the case of combat zones friendly fire accidents.

"Providing latest technology identification systems like MSSR 2000 I increases situational awareness for allied forces, and therefore increases mission success and security for airborne and ground forces," said Bernd Wenzler, CEO of Defense Electronics.

The MSSR 2000 I interrogator meets both the latest air traffic control standard Mode S and the latest military standard Mode 5 that greatly improve aircraft identification queries.

Defense Electronics' IFF systems are used by several NATO countries for ground and naval applications, the company said. In particular, the MSSR 2000 I interrogator is used by the navies of Germany, France, Norway and Finland. DE's identification systems are also used for air traffic control in Portugal and the Philippines.

The purchase comes after South Korea successfully tested an indigenous IFF system developed by LIG Nex1, which was set up in 1976 as Glodstar Precision. LIG Nex1 develops and manufactures a wide range of defense systems, such as precision-guided missiles, underwater systems, radar, fire-control systems, communications, electronic warfare and avionics.

Tests on the indigenous IFF system, destined for the company's Shingung shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missile, were completed in June. The missile is capable of hitting targets as high as 2 miles at a speed of Mach 2 over a distance of just over 4 miles.

Development costs of the Korean-made IFF were nearly $4 million. LIG Nex1 said at the time that there was an export sales potential of around $80 million.

LIG Nex1, the largest defense manufacturer in South Korea, is also the only missile developer, including portable surface-to-air, surface-to-surface, ship-to-ship and air-to-ground missiles, in cooperation with the state-funded Agency for Defense Development.

The firm is well-known for the Shark-series of precision-guided torpedo missiles -- the lightweight Cheongsangeo (blue shark), the Baeksangeo (white shark) heavy torpedo and the latest anti-submarine Hongsangeo (red shark) torpedo.

The Hongsangeo was unveiled in June after nine years and $80 million of development.

LIG Nex1 sales in 2008 were $720 million, according to a report in the Korea Times last month. The company's strategy is to break out of its home market and become a leading global defense company by 2020, the article noted. It has pledged "more aggressive investment in R&D programs for up-to-date weapons systems."

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