Hanwha Aerospace wins L-SAM deal

The long-range surface-to-air missile (L-SAM) system is a core element of Korea's layered air and missile defence architecture. (Hanwha Aerospace)

South Korea's Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has awarded a contract to Hanwha Aerospace to deliver an unspecified number of long-range surface-to-air missile (L-SAM) launchers and anti-ballistic missiles (ABMs) to the Republic of Korea Army (RoKA).

Hanwha Aerospace said on 28 November that the contract is valued at KRW705 billion (USD479 million). The L-SAM launchers and ABMs will be delivered to the RoKA by 2030, it added.

“The L-SAM incorporates advanced technologies including a divert and attitude control system (DACS) and a dual-pulse propulsion system.

“[The technologies enable] accurate interception of ballistic missiles even at very high altitudes where the air is thin and normal aerodynamic control is not effective,” Hanwha Aerospace said.

According to Hanwha Aerospace, the contract follows a separate agreement that Hanwha Systems signed with DAPA in October worth KRW357.3 billion to deliver an unspecified number of L-SAM multifunction radars (MFRs) to the RoKA. The MFR is intended to function as the primary sensor of the L-SAM to detect incoming aerial threats including ballistic missiles and aircraft.

Initial concept images of L-SAM were first released by the Ministry of National Defense (MND) in 2020. The MND said at the time that L-SAM would be capable of firing two new types of interceptor missiles, both of which would have a range of about 150 km.

One will be an anti-aircraft missile equipped with a dual-pulse solid-propellant rocket motor. The other will be a two-stage interceptor designed for multilayered missile defence that will be capable of intercepting missiles at altitudes between 40 km and 100 km.

Janes