South Korea starts L-SAM-II development to intercept modern ballistic missiles at higher altitudes.

On June 10, 2025, Hanwha Aerospace signed a contract worth 198.6 billion won (approximately $145,524,428) with South Korea's Agency for Defense Development (ADD) for the development of the L-SAM-II high-altitude interceptor missile system. The contract covers system integration responsibilities, including technology integration and verification of the L-SAM-II missile system, as well as prototype development of launcher systems. The development timeline extends to 2028, when the project is scheduled for completion. The L-SAM-II system is designed to intercept ballistic missiles at altitudes higher than the existing L-SAM system's operational ceiling, extending beyond the stratosphere.
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Used by both the L-SAM and the L-SAM-II, the Divert and Attitude Control System (DACS) utilizes ten propulsion control valves positioned around the interceptor to perform precise trajectory adjustments necessary for direct impact with the target. (Picture source: South Korean Army)

The L-SAM-II represents what South Korean officials have termed the "final piece of the Korea Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) system," indicating its role in completing South Korea's comprehensive missile defense architecture. Its development follows the completion of the original L-SAM Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) system, which the South Korean company Hanwha Aerospace developed in collaboration with the Agency for Defense Development. Currently in preparation for mass production and deployment phases, the L-SAM system operates at altitudes between 40 and 60 kilometers with engagement ranges extending up to 150 kilometers. The success of the L-SAM program provided the technological foundation and operational experience necessary for the more ambitious L-SAM-II development, which is intended to expand the scope of South Korea's missile defense capabilities even further.

The L-SAM-II system is engineered to operate at altitudes reaching up to 180 kilometers above the Earth's surface, placing its performance parameters in the same category as advanced missile defense systems such as the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. This altitude capability addresses the operational requirements for engaging ballistic missiles that follow high-trajectory flight profiles and reach significant apogees during their flight paths. The system's extended altitude performance allows for earlier interception opportunities compared to lower-tier systems, enabling multiple engagement attempts against incoming threats. The expanded coverage area, projected at three to four times that of the current L-SAM system, will provide protection over a broader geographic region encompassing critical infrastructure and densely populated areas. These two enhanced capabilities are crucial for countering modern ballistic missiles, which have evolved to incorporate more sophisticated flight patterns and advanced countermeasures.

Central to the L-SAM-II's technical complexity are two primary technological components: the DACS and the propulsion system itself. The Divert and Attitude Control System (DACS) utilizes ten propulsion control valves positioned around the interceptor to enable the Kill Vehicle to perform precise trajectory adjustments necessary for direct impact with ballistic missile targets. This system operates in the low-density atmospheric conditions found at high altitudes, where conventional aerodynamic control surfaces are ineffective, thus requiring small rocket thrusters to maneuver. Given the system’s complexity, the DACS involves sophisticated control algorithms and precision engineering, and is possessed by only a limited number of countries, including South Korea and the United States. The propulsion system also presents a major engineering challenge, as it must generate sufficient thrust to propel the interceptor to THAAD-comparable altitudes and reach interception points more rapidly than the original L-SAM system. These requirements reflect the need to respond to shorter warning times and intercept threats at greater distances than legacy systems.

The L-SAM-II development is a key feature of South Korea's broader Korea Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) strategy, which aims to create a multi-layered air defense network capable of countering the full spectrum of ballistic missile threats. This approach acknowledges that no single defense system can cover all possible threat scenarios, making it necessary to deploy multiple complementary systems operating at various altitudes and ranges. The L-SAM-II functions as the upper-tier element, coordinating with mid- and lower-tier systems such as the KM-SAM (Korean Surface-to-Air Missile) and the Patriot Advanced Capability-3, which are responsible for intercepting shorter-range and lower-altitude threats. The system also operates alongside U.S.-deployed THAAD units in South Korea, creating overlapping coverage that enhances the effectiveness of the peninsula’s defensive architecture. The layered configuration ensures that if one tier fails to neutralize an incoming missile, another has the opportunity to do so, offering multiple lines of defense against increasingly complex and capable threats.

The L-SAM-II subsystems include advanced radar technologies capable of detecting, tracking, and distinguishing targets at long distances and high altitudes, supplying the data needed for effective interceptions. Command and control systems process sensor inputs and coordinate interception decisions within the brief windows permitted by ballistic missile trajectories. Mobile launcher platforms are incorporated for flexible deployment and survivability in contested areas, while still maintaining engagement capabilities from varied positions. The project timeline through 2028 includes thorough testing and validation phases to assess operational performance. These trials will involve live-fire tests against realistic targets to demonstrate interception capabilities and reliability. The development incorporates lessons from the L-SAM system while addressing the additional technical challenges associated with extending the operational envelope to higher altitudes and longer ranges. Integration efforts will bring together all components into a cohesive system capable of functioning effectively in a real-world defense scenario.

Hanwha Aerospace officials have noted that global demand for multi-layered missile defense systems is rising sharply, driven by the spread of ballistic missile technologies and increasingly complex threat environments. The company sees the L-SAM-II program not only as an enhancement to South Korea’s domestic defense capabilities but also as a step toward entering international defense markets. The original L-SAM program has already attracted foreign interest as a possible alternative to other systems, particularly due to its performance and cost-effectiveness. Hanwha Aerospace intends to consolidate core technologies that will benefit national defense and bolster South Korea’s ability to export high-performance missile defense systems. The L-SAM-II program thus aligns with South Korea’s long-term industrial strategy of achieving defense self-reliance while opening avenues for technological collaboration and export in the global missile defense sector.