South Korea has completed development of its domestic Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (L-SAM) system, adding a new capability to the country’s multilayered missile defense.
Seoul’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) confirmed the milestone after it cleared all technical requirements set by the Republic of Korea Armed Forces.
The assessment confirmed its ability to take on North Korean ballistic missiles such as the KN-23 and KN-24 tactical weapons during their launch terminal phases.
Production for the L-SAM is expected to begin by 2025, with deployment as early as 2028.
Once fully implemented, it will be integrated alongside other missile systems as part of the Korean Air Missile Defense project.
The L-SAM System
The L-SAM is designed to take down incoming targets at altitudes of 31 to 38 miles (50 to 60 kilometers).
South Korea currently uses the Medium-Range Surface-to-Air and the US Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missile systems, which operate at lower altitudes than the L-SAM, to intercept missiles.
To take on targets at even higher altitudes, South Korea’s military is developing a Block-II variant of the missile, expecting a 2035 completion date.