Hanwha Aerospace has taken a significant step toward the mass production of the Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (L-SAM) system, a key pillar of the Republic of Korea’s long-range air and missile defense (AMD) system. The company signed a contract worth 705.4 billion KRW (482 million USD) with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
L-SAM Mass Production to be Completed in 2030
This comprehensive contract covers Hanwha Aerospace’s mass production and delivery of L-SAM launchers and anti-ballistic missiles (ABM) to the Korean military by 2030. L-SAM will add a new high-altitude interception layer to Korea’s layered air defense architecture, enabling the neutralization of enemy ballistic missiles before existing systems such as M-SAM and Patriot come into play.
High-Altitude Defense with Advanced Technology
L-SAM, which holds strategic importance for Korea’s missile defense, also stands out technologically. The system is the first long-range missile defense system developed in Korea to apply innovative technologies such as a divert and attitude control system (DACS) and a dual-pulse propulsion system. These features enable the precise interception of ballistic missiles even at extremely high altitudes where the air is thin.
L-SAM Program Expanding
This latest development follows the 357.3 billion KRW contract signed last month with Hanwha Systems for the production of the Multi-Function Radar (MFR), the primary sensor of L-SAM. In addition, the South Korean Agency for Defense Development (ADD), together with Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems, is continuing development work on L-SAM-II, designed to expand the engagement envelope of the existing system by three to four times.
A Hanwha Aerospace spokesperson said, “This contract is an important milestone in our commitment to helping strengthen the security of the Republic of Korea.”
SOURCE: C4Defence / Hanwha Aerospace
