New South Korean Radar for LSAM II Extends Interception Range to 180 Kilometers.

As part of its ongoing commitment to strengthening national defense capabilities, Hanwha Systems announced on May 27, 2025, the signing of a contract with South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD) for the development of a next-generation Multifunction Radar (MFR) for the L-SAM-II missile defense system, according to BusinessKorea. Signed on May 26, the contract is valued at approximately USD 40 million (KRW 54.7 billion) and marks a key step in the advancement of the country’s air defense modernization. 
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It is in this context that the L-SAM-II is being developed, aiming to expand interception capabilities up to altitudes of 180 kilometers (Picture source: Hanwha Systems)

The L-SAM-II, referred to as “K-THAAD” in reference to the American Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, constitutes the second phase of South Korea’s long-range surface-to-air missile program. Designed to intercept ballistic missiles at greater ranges and altitudes than the first-generation L-SAM, the system is intended to reinforce South Korea’s multi-layered missile defense network amid escalating regional threats. Its integration falls under the Korea Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) strategy, which is one of the three main pillars of South Korea’s defense doctrine, along with the Kill Chain preemptive strike system and the Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR) response framework.

Initiated in 2015 by the ADD, the L-SAM program has been a central element in South Korea’s high-altitude interception capabilities. It was specifically designed to counter North Korean ballistic missile threats such as the KN-23 and KN-24. Following an exploratory phase completed in 2018, system development began in 2019 and was finalized in November 2024 with contributions from Hanwha Aerospace and LIG Nex1. During testing conducted between 2022 and 2023, the L-SAM demonstrated its effectiveness, incorporating hit-to-kill technology, infrared imaging sensors, dual-pulse propulsion, and a Divert and Attitude Control System (DACS) for real-time trajectory adjustments.

A standard L-SAM battery includes an S-band AESA radar for detection and tracking, a command-and-control (C2) center, a combat control station, and four truck-mounted launchers. Each launcher carries six missiles assigned to either anti-ballistic or anti-aircraft roles. The system is capable of engaging targets at speeds up to Mach 8.82, at altitudes ranging from 40 to 60 kilometers, and at a maximum distance of 150 kilometers. It operates alongside KM-SAM, PAC-3, and THAAD systems to provide layered defense across multiple altitude levels.

The system’s modular design allows it to operate in coordination with additional platforms, including the Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system and the Low-Altitude Missile Defense (LAMD) system, which targets low-flying threats and artillery projectiles. However, its effectiveness remains linked to full-scale production, scheduled to begin in 2025, with operational deployment expected later in the decade.

It is in this context that the L-SAM-II is being developed, aiming to expand interception capabilities up to altitudes of 180 kilometers. It will feature interceptors designed to engage hypersonic glide-phase threats and is supported by a development budget of KRW 2.71 trillion (USD 1.86 billion) through 2035. The upgraded system will include new radar technologies, command structures, and interceptor missiles, offering coverage estimated to be three to four times greater than that of the original L-SAM.

The new multifunction radar, considered the central element of the L-SAM-II system, will be capable of simultaneously detecting and tracking multiple long-range targets in real time. It will also perform critical functions such as friend-or-foe identification and missile guidance. Equipped with high-precision algorithms optimized for upper-tier interception, the radar will provide extended detection ranges compared to earlier models and distinguish real threats from non-hostile elements, improving situational awareness and tactical decision-making.

According to Hyuk Park, head of Hanwha Systems’ Defense Electronics Division, “the radar is the core of any air defense system.” Building on prior experience with AESA radars for the KF-21 fighter and multifunction radar systems for the KDDX destroyer and FFX Batch-III frigate, Hanwha Systems also plans to enter the global early warning radar (EWR) market. The EWR system under development will be capable of detecting ballistic threats at distances between 2,000 and 3,000 kilometers, serving as a component of future strategic air defense architectures.

The launch of the L-SAM-II radar development reflects South Korea’s efforts to enhance its technological capabilities in response to a changing security environment. The program is part of a broader strategy aimed at building sovereign and adaptive defense solutions in anticipation of emerging warfare challenges.