Defense: South Korea develops its first military satellite communications system

South Korean official have announced the country has developed its first military satellite communications system to help troops reduce reliance on US intelligence and equipment.

Covering an area with a diameter of 12,000 kilometres (7,200 miles) the system was developed over 11 years. It will go into service next year for the army, navy and air force, the defence ministry said.

"We have developed the country's first military satellite communications system," the ministry's Agency for Defence Development said in a statement.

"This system will help our military share real-time combat intelligence and conduct more efficient operations."