29 October 2021

LIG Nex1 selected for RoKN's CIWS-II programme

by Gabriel Dominguez & Dae Young Kim

Computer-generated imagery provided by South Korea's DAPA showing the future CIWS system set to be developed by LIG Nex1 for RoKN warships. (DAPA)

South Korean company LIG Nex1 has won a bid to locally develop and produce a new close-in weapon system (CIWS) to be deployed with Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) warships.

Officials from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) in Seoul told Janes on 29 October that LIG Nex1's proposal was selected over that of rival Hanwha Systems, adding that a contract is expected to be awarded in November as part of the navy's ‘CIWS-II' programme.

In a statement issued the same day, DAPA confirmed that the project will be formally launched in November, noting that the new system will be used for point defence against various threats such as anti-ship guided missiles, aircraft, and fast manoeuvring surface vessels.

During the 9–12 June International Maritime Defense Industry Exhibition 2021 held in Busan, LIG Nex1 had displayed a model of its proposed CIWS revealing that the system will be equipped with a 30 mm Gatling-type gun capable of firing 4,200 rounds per minute; an electro-optical targeting system; a tracking active electronically scanned-array (AESA) radar; and a non-rotating, four-faced AESA search radar.

The new CIWS, development of which is expected to be completed by 2027, will feature radar technology similar to that being developed by South Korea's Agency for Defense Development and local company Hanwha Systems for the country's future KF-21 Boramae multirole fighter, according to DAPA.

Under the ‘CIWS-II' programme, the RoKN aims to acquire a locally developed CIWS for use on its future warships, including the service's planned light aircraft carrier, as well as its future KDDX guided-missile destroyers, FFX-III-class guided-missile frigates, and AGX-III ocean surveillance vessels. Janes

South Korean company LIG Nex1 has won a bid to locally develop and produce a new close-in weapon sys...

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