According to information published by "The Korea Herald" newspaper website on August 10, 2020, in the next five years, South Korea will start the development of a new air defense missile similar to the Israeli Iron Dome able to counter long-range artillery threats of North Korea.
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Israeli Rafael Iron Dome launcher unit. (Picture source Army Recognition)
The Iron Dome is an effective and innovative mobile defense solution for countering short-range rockets and 155 mm artillery shell threats with ranges of up to 70 km in all weather conditions, including low clouds, rain, dust storms or fog. South Korea expects to deploy its local-made Iron Dome in the late of 2030.
North Korea’s conventional force continues to emphasize large defensive and asymmetric attack capabilities to counter the technologically superior forces of the U.S. and ROK Alliance. The (North) Korean People’s Army’s (KPA) large artillery force is deployed along the demilitarized zone (DMZ), posing a constant threat to the Greater Seoul Metropolitan Area (GSMA).
According to information released by the United States, North Korea has 8,600 artillery guns and over 4,800 multiple rocket launchers. Citing Forbes website, North Korea armed forces will have 12,000 pieces of artillery systems including towed and self-propelled howitzers as wells as 2,300 MLRSs (Multiple Launch Rocket Systems).
Rocket launchers of North Korea Armed forces are able to reach the capital Seoul, a serious threat for South Korea. North Korea has also developed a new unnamed large-caliber Multiple Launch Guided Rocket System which has a maximum firing range of 250 km.
Iron Dome is a missile defense system, designed by the Israeli company Rafael, to defend against threats from short-range projectiles. Since it entered in service with the Israeli armed forces, the system has been responsible for shooting down hundred rockets aimed at Israel's population centers and has a success rate of approximately 90% (A higher success rate than any previous anti-missile system).
The Iron Dome is capable to intercept and destroy short-range rockets and artillery shells fired from distances of 4 to 70 kilometers away and whose trajectory would take them to an Israeli populated area. Israel hopes to increase the range of Iron Dome's interceptions, from the current maximum of 70 to 250 kilometers, and make it more versatile so that it could intercept rockets coming from two directions simultaneously.
