Development of L-SAM Due for Completion by 2024
The Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) has inducted into service the Haegung (Sea Bow) surface-to-air anti-missile system (also known as K-SAAM) and the Biryong 130mm anti-ship guided rocket.
The revelation comes after the Haegung, developed by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and local company LIGNex1, was test-launched in December 2021 from a Daegu-class frigate, prior to entering serial production. The SAAM, developed to replace the RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile point-defence system, is now being deployed on Daegu-class frigates, and is also believed to be set to be fielded on the Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship RoKS Marado. The missile is thought to have a maximum range of 20km and a top speed of Mach 2.
Also recently inducted was the Biryong 130 guided rocket, which is now in service with several RoKN warships, including the Chamsuri II-class fast attack craft. Manufacturer LIGNex1 describes the Biryong as an anti-ship guided missile capable of “defeating an enemy’s amphibious raid forces by precisely striking, from a long distance, multiple targets such as LCACs or small ships travelling at high speeds.”
The weapon is equipped with an uncooled IR seeker, and features up-link guidance technology that transmits GPS/INS data and target position in real time. Target acquisition is enabled by the ship-mounted search radar and electro-optical targeting system (EOTS). Scale models of both the Haegung and Biryong were displayed by LIGNex1 during DSA 2022 in Kuala Lumpur.
Meanwhile, the company told MON it is progressing development of the Long-range Surface-to-Air Missile (L-SAM) system, which is aimed at helping counter North Korea’s increasingly advanced missile systems. This comes after the ADD test-launched the new interceptor on 23 February. The L-SAM system – development of which is slated for completion by 2024 – is intended for deployment from 2026 as part of South Korea’s multi-layered missile defence programme, but there is speculation that Seoul might move that date forward, given Pyongyang’s rapid advances in missile technology.
The L-SAM is being designed to fire two new types of interceptors: an anti-aircraft missile and an anti-ballistic missile.
Gabriel Dominguez reporting from DSA for MON
