South Korea Completes Development of L-SAM and Approves L-SAM-II Amid North Korean Threat.

On May 27, 2024, South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced the completion of the long-range surface-to-air missile (L-SAM) system, marking a significant advancement in the country's missile defense capabilities. The Ministry of National Defense (MND) confirmed that the L-SAM has achieved its technical development goals and has been deemed combat-ready following a successful test conducted by DAPA.
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South Korea's homegrown long-range surface-to-air missile, known as the L-SAM interceptor (Picture source: South Korean Agency for Defense Development)

The L-SAM is a critical component of South Korea's air and missile defense system, designed to intercept missiles from North Korea at various altitudes. The L-SAM can intercept missiles at altitudes of 50 to 60 kilometers, complementing other systems like the Patriot and Cheongung II, which intercept missiles at around 40 kilometers altitude. Production of the L-SAM is set to begin in 2025, with deployment to the military scheduled for the late 2020s. The system has been under development since 2019, a collaborative effort between DAPA's subsidiary, the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), and local military technology firm LIG Nex1.

DAPA announced the approval of the "Long-Range Surface-to-Air Attack Weapon-II" (L-SAM-II) development plan, also known as the Korean version of THAAD, on May 29, 2024. The basic plan for the development of the L-SAM-II was approved during the 162nd Defense Acquisition Program Promotion Committee meeting. The L-SAM-II aims to secure high-altitude interceptors with enhanced interception altitudes compared to existing missiles. This project, running from 2024 to 2032, has a total budget of approximately 1.0664 trillion won. Once completed, the L-SAM-II will enhance South Korea's air defense network by providing a multi-layered defense system.

The committee also discussed and approved the development plan for the midrange surface-to-air missile (M-SAM) Block-III system, which aims to improve interception performance and engagement capabilities compared to the existing M-SAM Block-II system. This project, with a budget of approximately 2.8015 trillion won, is scheduled to run through 2034. The M-SAM Block-III, developed by the ADD, will strengthen South Korea's ability to deter North Korean nuclear and ballistic threats.

Additionally, the committee reviewed and approved the project for the development of advanced chemical, biological, and radiological (CBR) protective clothing. This project aims to develop CBR protective gear with improved performance through national research and development, enhancing the protection capabilities of South Korean military personnel.

The L-SAM and M-SAM systems are designed to play a crucial role in South Korea's multilayered missile shield, enhancing the country's air defense capabilities against North Korean threats and ensuring robust protection against a range of missile attacks.