South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced the successful completion of the Long-range Surface-to-Air Missile (L-SAM) system on May 25, marking a significant milestone in bolstering the country’s air defense capabilities.
The L-SAM system is specifically designed to engage incoming aerial threats at high altitudes, ranging from 50 to 60 kilometers. This capability fills a crucial gap in South Korea’s multi-layered missile defense architecture, known as the Korea Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) system. Currently, the KAMD system relies on a combination of medium-range surface-to-air missile systems for lower altitude defense and the U.S.-deployed Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system for upper-tier threats exceeding 40 kilometers. The L-SAM’s operational envelope bridges this gap, providing a robust defense against a wider range of ballistic missile threats.
Following the successful completion of development, South Korea is expected to initiate mass production of the L-SAM system as early as next year. This will be followed by a deployment schedule targeting operational readiness by 2028.
South Korea isn’t resting on its laurels. Development efforts are already underway for a Block-II variant of the L-SAM system, aiming to further extend its interception range beyond the current capabilities.
The addition of the L-SAM system to the KAMD system signifies a major step forward in South Korea’s ability to defend its airspace against evolving ballistic missile threats. The system’s high-altitude engagement capability will provide a critical layer of defense and contribute to regional stability.
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