South Korea to Develop Artillery Interception System "Superior to Israel's Iron Dome"

South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) is developing an artillery projectile interception system, named Low Altitude Missile Defense (LAMD), which aims to surpass Israel's Iron Dome designed for low-speed rockets.

The LAMD project is part of the Korean Air and Missile Defense System (KAMD) core power initiative. The project, in collaboration with the Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (L-SAM) system, is set to complete exploration and development by 2024. This new system will enhance the existing Cheongung-II missile defense system.

The L-SAM system, an independent development with domestic technology, is designed to intercept enemy aircraft and ballistic missiles at long distances and high altitudes. It is supervised by the Agency for Defense Development and is set to be completed by November 2024.

The system's long-range surface-to-air missile has demonstrated improved performance through successful interception tests, including the interception of ballistic missiles in November 2022. Testing and evaluation of the final group are ongoing.

The long-range artillery interception system, scheduled for development from 2022 to 2028, aims to protect national and military facilities from North Korean long-range artillery threats. Each battery includes a radar, engagement control center, launcher, and interceptor missile.

Due to the need for advanced technology comparable to Israel's, the long-range artillery interception system's development was initially planned for three years but was expedited. Core technology development, completed in June 2023, led to the integration of exploration and development. The entire process will be completed in 2024, a year earlier than initially planned, with system development scheduled from 2025 to 2028.

DAPA Director Eom Dong-hwan said, “If the development of long-range surface-to-air missiles and long-range artillery interception systems is successful, our military’s missile defense capabilities will be expanded to high altitudes, and the world’s first weapon system capable of intercepting artillery firepower will be deployed in the military.”

Developed by Rafael and Israel Aerospace Industries, the Iron Dome is designed to intercept and destroy short-range rockets and artillery shells fired from distances of 4km to 70km away and whose trajectory would take them to an Israeli populated area.