South Korea Successfully Develops Indigenous Ground-to-Air Missile Defense System in Response to North Korea | WPN World People News

The Agency for Defense Development (ADD) of South Korea announced on the 29th that it has successfully developed the Long-range Surface-to-Air Missile (L-SAM) defense system, marking a significant upgrade to the country’s missile defense capabilities. The system is expected to begin mass production in 2025 and is a response to North Korea's increasingly sophisticated missile threats.

The L-SAM project, which began in 2015, was developed entirely by South Korea using cutting-edge technology. It is estimated to have cost around 12 trillion Korean Won. The system features direct hit kill capabilities, a guidance and attitude control system (DACS), and infrared imaging (IIR), allowing it to destroy incoming missiles through kinetic energy.

The missile body is equipped with a two-stage booster, allowing it to respond to different threats, such as enemy aircraft or missiles. It can intercept missiles at altitudes of approximately 40 kilometers above the ground, during an enemy missile’s attack. Positioned as part of the upper-tier missile defense system, it is highly effective at reducing damage to the ground. Its interception capabilities are slightly lower than the THAAD system but still offer robust defense.

The South Korean military stated that the L-SAM will begin mass production in 2025, with plans to complete its deployment in the mid-to-late 2020s, addressing South Korea’s air defense gaps. Additionally, South Korea will actively work on developing improved versions (L-SAM-II) and long-range interception systems (LAMD) to expand the interception range and further enhance defense capabilities.