South Korea to Test-Fire its New Missile
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עברית (Hebrew)
Amid growing concerns over North Korea’s evolving missile threats, South Korea plans to test-fire a long-range surface-to-air missile (L-SAM) under development.
The state-run Agency for Defense Development is set to conduct the launch at a testing site in Taean, 150 kilometers southwest of Seoul in an indication the L-SAM development process is in its last stage, military sources were cited by international news agencies.
The South Korean military has been seeking to deploy the interceptor by 2026 as part of the country’s multilayered, low-tier missile defense program.
The L-SAM is designed to shoot down incoming missiles at altitudes of around 50-60 kilometers.
The launch plan came amid speculation the military could advance the timing for the L-SAM deployment, as a series of North Korean missile launches last month, including a hypersonic missile test, raised questions over the South’s interception capabilities.
If deployed, the L-SAM interceptor would form a key part of South Korea’s anti-missile program, which includes the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missile and a medium-range surface-to-air missile.
Interested in lreaning more about air and missile defense? Attend IAMD – the Israeli Air and Missile Defense Conference and Exhibition on March 8 at Tel Aviv Expo, pavilion 10.
