By Lee Tae-hoon
Korea has successfully developed an indigenous mid-range surface-to-air interceptor missile, the Chun Koong, officials at the state-run Agency for Defense Development (ADD) said Thursday in a ceremony at its headquarters in Daejeon, about 160 kilometers south of Seoul.
They said the Chun Koong, referred to as the Cheolmae-II during its five-year development stage, is a guided missile capable of intercepting supersonic aircraft and cruise missiles employing hit-to-kill technology.
Lee Hee-cherl, program director of ADD’s tactical missile development team, said the homegrown air defense system will replace the aging U.S.-made Hawk, which has been the backbone of the country’s antiaircraft capability.
“Unlike the Hawk, which requires many radars for each unit, it operates with a single multifunctional rotating radar capable of simultaneously engaging several targets coming from any direction,” he said.
The official noted that the Chun Koong can shoot down any North Korean aircraft, as well as its cruise missiles and air-to-ground guided missiles with accuracy greater than other surface-to-air guided weapons currently in use, including the Hawk.
The Chun Koong has a maximum range of 40 kilometer and an effective altitude of over 15 kilometers. The latest interceptor it is fired from a mobile 8-missile vertical launch system, which helps to increase survivability and combat readiness.
Lee said ADD’s analysis forecasts the development of the Chun Koong has an economic impact of 3.74 trillion won ($3.25 billion), roughly 4.5 times the investment and that it will result in the creation of 8,600 jobs.
“We expect the Chun Koong will help raise awareness of Korea’s outstanding defense technology in the world and significantly boost its competitiveness in military exports.”
The Chun Koong was co-developed by 15 Korean defense firms, including LIG Nex1, Samsung Thales and Doosan DST, under the supervision of ADD and with technological assistance from Russia.
“We have independently developed the entire guided missile system, except for its multi-functional radar for which we received technical support from Russia,” he said.
Kwon Oh-bong, vice commissioner at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, said the successful development of the Chung Koong will provide Korea confidence to make guided weapons to intercept ballistic missiles.
Seoul plans to build its own theater anti-aircraft defense system, capable of intercepting high-altitude ballistic missiles by further developing the Chun Koong.
The government is expected to inject 135.4 billion won to upgrade it to a longer range surface-to-air missile (L-SAM) to intercept North Korea’s ballistic missiles or fighter jets at high altitudes.
Military sources say Seoul aims to make the L-SAM have a range of up to 60 kilometers, more than double that of the U.S. Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missile currently in operation.