On February 23, South Korea test fired its indigenous long-range surface-to-air missile (L-SAM), designed primarily to intercept ballistic missiles. The state-run Agency for Defense Development oversaw the launch at a testing site in Taean, located 150 km southwest of Seoul. South Korea plans to deploy L-SAM by 2026 as a mid-capability between its PAC-3 and...
On February 21, Israel completed the first series of live-fire tests of its C-Dome air defense system. According to the Israel Defense Force, the tests “simulated a number of advanced threats including rocket fire, cruise missiles & UAVs, which the ‘C-Dome’ is designed to successfully intercept.” The C-Dome is a naval version of Israel’s Iron...
On February 7, the U.S. State Department approved a potential Patriot refurbishment package to Taiwan. The deal is estimated to cost $100 million and includes “engineering services support, designed to sustain, maintain, and improve” the Patriot air defense systems already based in Taiwan.
On January 30, North Korea test fired a Hwasong-12 intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM). The missile reportedly ranged 800 km and reached an altitude of 2,000 km before splashing down in the sea east of the country. North Korea first tested the Hwasong-12, also known as the KN-17, in May 2017. This marks the fourth Hwasong-12...
On January 5, North Korea test fired a ballistic missile with a maneuvering reentry vehicle (MaRV). The missile was fired from a road-mobile launcher and ranged about 700 km before splashing into the Sea of Japan. According to North Korea, the “hypersonic missile” made a 120 km “lateral movement” maneuver.
On December 30, Iran launched a Simorgh rocket aiming to put three research devices into orbit. The payload failed to enter orbit, however, due to lack of speed. According to Iranian spokesman Ahmad Hosseini, “For a payload to enter orbit, it needs to reach speeds above 7,600 [meters per second]. We reached 7,350.”
On December 18, India test fired its Agni-P medium-range ballistic missile. This marked the second Agni-P launch, with the first taking place in June 2021. The Agni-P is a two-stage missile that can range up to 2,000 km. It is a canister-launched system and weighs significantly less than the Agni-III.
On December 3, South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and defense company Hanwha publicly unveiled a model hypersonic cruise missile. The missile, known as the Hycore, is equipped with a two-stage rocket booster. It is scheduled for flight testing in 2022 and enter service in the mid-2020s.
On December 2, Russia’s Defense Ministry posted a video showing the military had deployed Bastion coastal defense missile systems close to the Kuril Islands, territory claimed by both Russia and Japan. Russia deployed the Bastion to the island of Matua, located in the middle of the Kuril Island chain. The deployment follows past coastal defense...
On November 29, Russia’s Defense Ministry said it test fired a Zircon hypersonic cruise missile. Russia’s Admiral Gorshkov frigate launched the Zircon while in the White Sea, successfully striking a target 400 km away. The Zircon has a claimed range of 1,000 km and is planned to equip Russian cruisers, frigates, and submarines.
