Hanwha Systems to develop radar for South Korea's LAMD system

A computer-generated image of the multifunction radar Hanwha Systems will develop for the RoK Armed Forces' Low Altitude Missile Defense system. (Hanwha Systems)

Hanwha Systems has secured a contract worth KRW131.5 billion (USD94.3 million) from South Korea's Agency for Defense Development (ADD) to develop a multifunction radar (MFR) that can detect incoming artillery.

This MFR, developed in partnership with ADD, will support the operations of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Armed Forces' future Low Altitude Missile Defense (LAMD) system, Hanwha Systems announced on 30 April.

Hanwha Systems intends to complete the development of the MFR by November 2028. The MFR will function as the “eye” of the LAMD system with the capability to detect, identify, and track “hundreds” of incoming artillery targets, the company said.

Hanwha Systems added that the MFR will enhance the LAMD's capability to intercept more targets than the baseline variant of Israel's Iron Dome air-defence system. According to Israel's Ministry of Defense (MoD), Iron Dome uses the Multi-Mission Radar (MMR) developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) subsidiary Elta Systems.

Janes data shows that Iron Dome uses the ELTA-2084 MMR. According to IAI, the ELTA-2084 MMR is an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar with a range of 475 km in rotating mode and a range of 650 km in sector mode.

South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced the official start of the LAMD programme worth KRW479.8 billion in January. The LAMD system is expected to be developed by 2028 in partnership with local firms including Hanwha Systems, LIG Nex1, and Hanwha Aerospace, DAPA said.