South Korea has approved mass production of the L-SAM long-range air defense system after Hanwha Aerospace secured a 705.4-billion-won ($480-million) contract to deliver interceptors and launchers by 2030. Equipped with a domestically produced dual-pulse motor and Divert and Control System, L-SAM forms the upper layer of Korea’s multi-tier missile defense network, complementing Cheongung II and Patriot systems. A separate 357.3-billion-won contract awarded to Hanwha Systems covers production of the system’s Multifunction Radar (MFR), responsible for tracking ballistic threats and guiding interceptors. Korea is also advancing L-SAM II under a 198.6-billion-won development award, aiming for higher-altitude interception by 2028, along with a next-generation radar contract worth 54.7 billion won. Companies such as Wavice are supplying key radar components, including high-power amplifier boards.
