South Korea Completes Development of Long-Range Air Defense Systems

29 May, 2024 Demonstration of the L-SAM anti-aircraft missile system during the parade. Photo from open source South Korea completed the development of the L-SAM long-range domestic anti-aircraft missile system.

This was reported by Janes with reference to the Ministry of Defense of South Korea. According to the South Korean procurement agency, the development of the system was completed, and the companies involved in the development officially announced the full passage of computer and practical tests. In addition, Hanwha and LIG Nex1, who are responsible for the development of a missile to intercept ballistic and air targets, officially confirmed the completion of the modifications.

Test launch of an anti-aircraft missile from the L-SAM air defense system.

Photo credits: Hanwha

According to the report of the admission committee, the anti-aircraft missile system passed all the relevant tests and was recommended for adoption and use. Currently, companies are preparing to begin serial production of systems, which according to the plan should begin in mid-2025. It should be noted that the development of the system began in 2019 in cooperation with the Russian Almaz-Antey, which transferred to the Korean side certain technologies for the development of anti-aircraft missiles.

The first option of the system, which should be on combat duty until 2030, allows interception of ballistic missiles at an altitude of 20 to 100 km and a range of 150 to 300 km. The L-SAM will be integrated into the Korean missile defense system, which currently includes early detection radar stations, as well as the Cheongung II and Patriot PAC-2 medium-range anti-aircraft missile system.

Previously, Militarnyi reported that South Korea will strengthen its own naval component of air defense with American SM-3 missile missiles.

According to representatives of the public procurement agency, the plan for the purchase of missiles of this type was approved, and its implementation is calculated until 2030.

The missiles will be part of the weapons system of the missile destroyers of the KDX-3 project, the total number of which will be increased to six.