South Korea's Defense Acquisition and Program Administration (DAPA) has started its programme to develop the next generation of its long-range surface-to-air missile (L-SAM) interceptor.
DAPA said it held a meeting to formally launch the L-SAM II project on 15 January. It said the programme will receive investment worth KRW567.7 billion (USD389 million) through 2028.
The programme is led by DAPA subsidiary, the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), and about 19 companies are expected to be involved in its development, DAPA said.
It added that L-SAM II will be capable of intercepting missiles at a higher altitude and at a longer range than the original L-SAM system, the development of which was completed in May 2024. The range of the L-SAM II will be “three–four times compared to L-SAM”, DAPA said.
In April 2023 DAPA approved funding worth KRW2.71 trillion to develop L-SAM II from 2024 to 2035. The capability consists of a gliding-stage interceptor missile that will be intended to counter some of North Korea's most modern missile systems including new hypersonic weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
L-SAM was developed by ADD and local firm LIG Nex1, with the company scheduled to start producing the system in 2025. Citing LIG Nex1, Janes has previously reported that L-SAM has a range of 150 km and that it is capable of intercepting targets at altitudes between 40 and 100 km.
An L-SAM battery consists of a multifunction radar; a command-and-control centre; a combat control station; and four truck-mounted launchers, two of which are equipped with anti-aircraft and the other two with anti-ballistic missiles.
For more information, please seeKorea, South – Army .
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