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 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.
In a September 15 release, South Korea announced successful flight tests of new ballistic, cruise, and antiship missiles. Alongside a recent submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) test, South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development successfully launched a subsonic air-launched cruise missile, a supersonic antiship missile, and an “improved version” of its Hyunmoo-2/4-series ballistic missiles with “dramatically increased”...
On September 15, South Korea announced it successfully flight tested the country’s first submarine-launched ballistic missile. South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD) reportedly carried out ejection tests of the missile from an underwater barge and a Dosan Ahn Changho-class submarine in August and early September, respectively. According to South Korean media sources, the SLBM...
On July 4, South Korea‘s navy flight tested a new submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from a submerged platform. According to unnamed officials, the test was successful. The missile is thought to share design characteristics with the ground-launched Hyunmoo-2B. South Korea began developing the SLBM in 2016 or earlier. Related Links: South Korea’s Mysterious Submarine-Launched Ballistic...
On July 4, South Korea‘s navy flight tested a new submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from a submerged platform. According to unnamed officials, the test was successful. The missile is thought to share design characteristics with the ground-launched Hyunmoo-2B; South Korea began developing the SLBM in 2016 or earlier. Related Links: South Korea’s Mysterious Submarine-Launched Ballistic...
On March 24, North Korea test-launched two new short-range ballistic missiles. The state-run KCNA stated the missiles, which appear to be a variant of the KN-23, flew 600 km before striking a target in the Sea of Japan. Japanese and South Korean reports, however, say the missiles ranged about 430 km. Earlier on March 21,...
On November 26, South Korea announced it had taken delivery of its first Cheongung-II medium-range air defense battery. This delivery marks the first of seven planned batteries. South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development began developing the Cheongung-II, also known as KM-SAM Block II, in 2012. The system can range up to 40 km with an...
On November 25, South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced plans to begin producing the new Korean Tactical Surface to Surface Missile (KTSSM). Production will run between 2020-2025 to develop at least 200 missiles. The KTSSM is GPS-guided and can range around 120 km. It is expected to enter service around 2022. Related Links:...
In March, South Korea test fired the Hyunmoo-4, a new ballistic missile with significantly improved range and payload over earlier weapons. According to media reports, South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development tested the new missile in Taean on the country’s west coast, with one of the two projectiles “misfiring.” The Hyunmoo-4 reportedly possesses a range...
