South Korea Develops Latest Version Of L-SAM Defense System

South Korean L-SAM. (Source: Defense Security Asia)

JAKARTA - South Korea's arms procurement authority announced in January the country began developing a new version of the country's domestically made defense missile system, while working to increase its air defense capabilities from North Korea's threat.

The meeting to discuss the development of the long-range surface-to-air missile system (L-SAM) II took place at the Defense Development Agency in Daejeon, about 140 kilometers south of Seoul, Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said.

Based on increased capability to intercept incoming missiles at higher altitude, the planned L-SAM system is expected to expand three to four times the missile defense coverage compared to existing L-SAM systems, according to DAPA.

Quoted from The Defense Post, the height and reach of L-SAM II will well exceed L-SAM, which is above 40 kilometers (25 miles) and 150 kilometers (93 miles), respectively.

The L-SAM is designed to play a major role in the country's layered missile shield, the so-called Korean Air Defense and Missiles (KAMD).

L-SAM uses hit-to-kill interception technology and consists of combat control stations and four launchers mounted on trucks, two each for anti-aircraft and anti-ballistic interceptors.

KAMD is a pillar of the country's three-axis prevention structure which also includes the Kill Chain preemptive attack platform and the Korea's Massive Punishment and Retaliation system.

It is known, the project worth 567.7 billion won or a secretary of 388 million US dollars is expected to be completed in 2028.

South Korea completed the development of the first block of the L-SAM system in November last year and plans to start production of this year's series.