South Korea tests low-altitude missile defence system

LIG Nex1 had displayed scale models of the LAMD system in 2021. (Dae Young Kim)

South Korea's Agency for Defense Development (ADD) recently test-fired its low-altitude missile defence (LAMD) system.

According to a report on the state-run Korea.net, the Special Secretary to the President for Public Communication Park Soo-hyun announced on Facebook that the LAMD was test-fired from the Anheung test site. The test site is in Taean county on the eastern shore of South Korea.

Park also said ADD tested the long-range surface-to-air missile (L-SAM) on the same day. Officials confirmed the L-SAM and LAMD are core components of the Korea Air and Missile Defense.

The Korea.net report said the LAMD is a system guiding projectile launch pads that have been installed at multiple sites to “create an air-defence network in the shape of a dome and intercept long-range artillery shells”.

Janes previously reported that South Korean company LIG Nex1 is developing the LAMD system for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces.

According to a LIG Nex1 official, the missiles equipping LAMD are based on the Haegung Korean Surface-to-Air Anti-Missile (K-SAAM) system developed for the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN).

The official also said a LAMD missile is fitted with an active radar seeker for terminal guidance. The missile is 165 mm in diameter and can intercept targets up to 7 km away and 5 km in altitude.

LIG Nex1 had displayed scale models of the LAMD system in 2021. The launcher shown comprised 16 launch containers in a 4×4 arrangement.

Janes