South Korea’s DAPA Signs Contract for Laser Anti-Aircraft Weapon Mass Production

South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), has finalized a mass production contract for the laser anti-aircraft weapon (Block-Ⅰ).

This project, part of South Korea's "Korean Star Wars" initiative utilizing laser technology in weaponry, was awarded to Hanwha Aerospace Co., Ltd on June 25. The kick-off meeting for the endeavor is scheduled for July 11, at Hanwha Aerospace's Daejeon campus.

The Block-Ⅰ laser anti-aircraft weapon represents a concept in warfare, designed to eliminate targets through direct laser irradiation generated from an optical fiber. It boasts the capability to engage small unmanned aerial vehicles and multicopters at close range, with attributes including invisibility, silence, and operation solely on electricity, keeping launch costs minimal at approximately 2,000 won ($1.45) per use. Anticipated enhancements in output could position the system as a pivotal asset for future battlefield scenarios, effectively countering both aircraft and ballistic missiles.

Initiated in August 2019 with an investment of 87.1 billion won ($63 million), the development of the Block-Ⅰ weapon system was spearheaded by the Agency for Defense Development, with Hanwha Aerospace contributing as the prototype company. Collaboration across public, private, and military sectors facilitated smooth progress, highlighted by a flawless performance record in live-fire tests. Following a combat-suitability assessment in April 2023, the system has now advanced to mass production, slated for delivery to the military starting this year, with full operational deployment imminent.

Senior Civilian Lee Dong-seok, head of DAPA's Guided Weapons Division, said, "By executing the mass production contract for the Laser Anti-Aircraft Weapon (Block-Ⅰ), our nation becomes the global pioneer in deploying and operationalizing laser weaponry within military settings, alongside achieving breakthroughs in international technological development." He underscored the weapon's role in enhancing South Korea's defense capabilities against future threats, particularly in responding to potential drone provocations from North Korea.

Looking ahead, DAPA aims to implement an evolutionary development strategy for the Laser Anti-Aircraft Weapon (Block-Ⅱ), enhancing output and range. A key technological initiative involves elevating the output of the laser generator, a critical component, to hundreds of kilowatts (kW).