Korea AIR DEFENCE PROGRAMS

[urban mine]

LAMD Interception Capability Experiment Plan

The 239mm rocket of K239 Chunmoo was modified for targeting purposes. Telemetry measurement equipment was installed in the warhead section to transmit information to the test headquarters in real time. The target rocket launch pad is placed on an SEP barge and positioned at sea to secure the test range.

For safety reasons, the test control center was set up outside the maximum range of the target rocket(The maximum range of the 239mm rocket is 80km.). This was done to prevent damage even if the target rocket was not intercepted normally. In addition, for maritime safety, the interceptor missile and target rocket are designed to self-destruct before hitting the sea surface.

After the target is launched from the barge, an observation station is set up at a high altitude so that radar detection is possible immediately.

 

[urban mine]

BQM-167 hit by M-SAM

 

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Finally, a launch photo of the L-SAM AAM has been released. Obviously they've been testing it for a while, so why are they just now making it public....

 

[urban mine]

방위사업청 공식 블로그 : 네이버 블로그

blog.naver.com

DAPA announced that it has successfully completed the initial deployment of the M-SAM II Phase II program, which upgrades the M-SAM (medium-range surface-to-air missile) to the M-SAM II capable of intercepting ballistic missiles. The M-SAM is a medium-range surface-to-air missile designed to intercept aircraft. This upgrade improves the performance of the existing M-SAM battery's engagement control center and MFR, resulting in significant cost savings compared to introducing a new weapon system, while also enhancing low-altitude detection capabilities and simultaneous engagement capabilities compared to the existing M-SAM II.

 

[urban mine]

The 2023 LAMD MFR was a trailer-mounted variant, whereas the MFR showcased at the 2025 ADEX is a truck-mounted variant.(However, the LAMD MFR development prototype is a trailer type. )There must be a reason for the enhanced mobility.

Separately, I heard that H-SHORAD is a system being developed in cooperation with Saudi Arabia. I wonder how it will turn out.

 

[urban mine]

한화에어로, 7054억원 규모 L-SAM 양산 계약…KAMD 완성 임박

L-SAM 양산 착수…상층 요격 전력 강화 MFR·ABM 국산화로 KAMD 완성도↑, 한화에어로스페이스가 장거리 지대공 유도무기(L-SAM) 양산에 본격 착수한다. 상층 요격 전력을 담당하는 L-SAM이 전력화되면 천궁II·패트리엇과 함께 한국형 미사일방어체계(KAMD)가 완성 단계에 ...

www.seoul.co.kr

Hanwha Aerospace announced on the 28th that it signed a mass production contract for the Long-range Surface-to-Air Missile (L-SAM), valued at 705.4 billion Korean won (approximately $536 million USD), with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) on the 27th.

Hanwha Aerospace is scheduled to supply the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) interceptors and launchers to the military by 2030.

Earlier last month, Hanwha Systems signed a mass production contract with DAPA for the L-SAM Multi-Function Radar (MFR), valued at 357.3 billion Korean won (approximately $272 million USD).

The Multi-Function Radar (MFR), which serves as the "eyes" and core sensor of the L-SAM, is responsible for detecting and tracking ballistic missiles and enemy aircraft flying in from long distances. It can simultaneously detect and track multiple targets and perform Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) missions for aircraft.

Following the completion of the L-SAM system development last year, the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) is currently progressing with the system development of the 'High-Altitude Interceptor Missile (L-SAM-II)' alongside companies like Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems. The L-SAM-II is expected to expand the aerial defense coverage area by 3 to 4 times compared to the existing system.

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LIG넥스원, 방위사업청과 1639억원 규모 'L-SAM' 양산 계약 - 글로벌이코노믹

한국 정밀유도 무기 명가인 LIG넥스원이 방위사업청과 장거리지대공유도무기(L-SAM) 양산계약을 체결했다고 27일 밝혔다. 계약 규모는 1639억 원으로 LIG넥스원은 2030년까지 통제소, 대항공기유도탄(AAM) 등을 공급하게 된다. L-SAM은 탄도미사일 비행 단계에서 종말단

www.g-enews.com

LIG Nex1 announced on the 27th that it signed a mass production contract with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) for the Long-range Surface-to-Air Missile (L-SAM).

The contract is valued at 163.9 billion Korean won (approximately $125 million USD), and LIG Nex1 will supply the Control Center and Anti-Aircraft Missile (AAM) components by 2030.

 

[urban mine]

To be honest, when I first heard that the M-SAM had seen combat in the UAE, I didn’t believe it.

This is because the M-SAM-II radars for the UAE have not yet been delivered, and the batteries currently in the UAE were provided for training purposes.(An MFR with PESA specifications, similar to the one used by the South Korean military.)

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/2029751869799874646

However, after seeing the information reported by the media and other sources, I came to believe in the effectiveness of the M-SAM-II. Watching the footage of Gulf states under attack that was being released on X, given the current situation, they must have had to activate every available air defense system...

A member of the National Assembly's National Defense Committee also confirmed that, according to the information he received, it demonstrated a 96% interception rate.

However, the UAE had exhausted its existing stockpile of interceptor missiles and requested the rapid delivery of M-SAM-II interceptor missiles from South Korea. But since interceptor missiles are not the kind of product whose production schedule can be expedited like tanks or self-propelled artillery, we have promised to first deliver 30 units and then ship the remaining production batch to the UAE.

As far as I know, among the Gulf states, the current order volumes for the M-SAM-II are as follows: UAE: 12 batteries (approximately 1,400 interceptor missiles); Saudi Arabia: more than 10 batteries (exact number of interceptor missiles not disclosed). These figures far exceed the quantities currently being procured by the South Korean military.

 

[urban mine]

The Intelligent 40mm automated air defense system, consistently showcased at various exhibitions from 2023 to the recently held KOREA C-UAS 2025.
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This system was urgently procured by the ROKMC following its failure to intercept North Korea's small unmanned aerial vehicle provocations in 2022. Considering that small drones were provoking us from 3km up at the time, it was only natural that the anti-aircraft guns couldn't hit them. But I imagine Yoon Suk-yeol, who was a VIP then, and his leadership were furious.
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Anyway, the military is reviewing its existing short-range defense systems and plans to replace the KM167A3 used by the Marine Corps and Army.

The Army has established anti-aircraft positions on the rooftops of high-rise buildings in Seoul to prepare for emergencies. The Marine Corps is also stationed on islands in the West Sea close to North Korea, where they have built anti-aircraft positions. However, the Vulcan system is now too outdated and personnel-intensive.
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Hanwha - HWG-40 'Product Movie’
Hanwha has unveiled an unmanned air defense system based on the HWG-40, originally developed for export to India.(But it seems India is just upgrading and using their own Bofors. ) It has been modified into a twin-barrel system, automating the entire firing procedure from target detection and tracking to destruction.
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Additionally, the number of personnel was streamlined to the extent that two individuals could operate four artillery pieces at the fire control center. Based on the track information provided by C2A, simply issuing a tracking command causes one of the distributed anti-aircraft guns to automatically track its assigned target using EOTS and fire upon receiving the command. It is said that using MMFA or PFHE as proximity fuses prevents casualties caused by falling projectiles.

Prototype of the Intelligent 40mm Automated Air Defense System. It is currently undergoing testing and evaluation by the military, and the evaluation video will be released later this year.

 

[urban mine]

Mobile laser air defense system.

 

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View attachment 78243
Separately, I heard that H-SHORAD is a system being developed in cooperation with Saudi Arabia. I wonder how it will turn out.

An official stated that the missile next to it is a new model being developed by Hanwha and is capable of defending against low-altitude threats at altitudes of 10 km or less.