Seoul: The state arms procurement agency of South Korea has launched an 869 billion-won (US$624 million) initiative to develop a new homegrown missile system designed to intercept targets at higher altitudes compared to existing systems, officials reported.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the development of the mid-range surface-to-air missile (M-SAM) Block-III system is set to be completed by 2030, as announced by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). The envisioned M-SAM system will enhance its predecessors by detecting and intercepting targets at greater distances and altitudes, with improved simultaneous combat capabilities.
DAPA anticipates that the Block-III version of the M-SAM system will bolster the military's defense capabilities, performing at a level comparable to the U.S.-made PAC-3 missiles. The agency also stated that the new system will play a crucial role in upgrading the country's multi-layered defense network, complementing other homegrown defense systems like the Cheongung-II and L-SAM systems.
DAPA Vice Commissioner Kang Hwan-seok emphasized the project's dual focus on performance and cost-effectiveness, stating, "We will develop the M-SAM Block-III system that satisfies both performance and price to ensure it contributes to strengthening our competitiveness in exports."