LiG-Nex1 Developing Close-in Weapons System with AESA Radar for Warships

South Korean LiG-Nex1 is developing close-in weapons system (CIWS-II) whose AESA radar system will be derived from that of the KF-21 jet.

The CIWS-II is being developed under a Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) project investing 20 billion won ($277.7 million) to complete the project by 2030.

CIWS-II is a point-defense weapon system for detecting and destroying short-range missiles and enemy aircraft that penetrate outer defenses. It is typically mounted on warships, Korea JoongAng Daily reported July 25.

Current CIWS devices onboard existing Korean Navy ships were procured from foreign manufacturers, namely Thales, and utilize mechanical radars, it said.

The new CIWS-II will feature enhanced missile detecting capability thanks to LIG-Nex1’s AESA radar technology and software is already deployed on the KF-21 Boramae, the country’s first domestically developed fighter jet built by Korea Aerospace Industries.