Almost twice as powerful as the Patriot.. South Korea is testing the L-SAM air defense missile, which is described as the Korean “THAAD”.

South Korea tested its new long-range surface-to-air missile (L-SAM), with an interception height nearly twice that of the US Patriot, on May 30.

The test was conducted at the Anheung Comprehensive Testing Center, located in Taean, in the presence of National Defense Minister Lee Jong-seob.

The South Korean Ministry of Defense said in an official press release: “The L-SAM missile intercepted the target missile. The L-SAM interceptor succeeded in hitting and neutralizing the target missile at the planned target altitude.”

South Korea succeeded in intercepting ballistic missile with L-SAM(Long-range Surface-to-Air Missile) under its own development on May 30, 2023.
It is called as ‘Korean THAAD’. pic.twitter.com/wNdIjdoMxS

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The new interceptor missile is an important part of South Korea’s missile and air defense system. It also includes the MIM-104 Patriot and KM-SAM medium-range surface-to-air missile systems.

The L-SAM uses a vertical firing system. The system is primarily intended to destroy ballistic missiles. The maximum interception altitude is 100 km. In comparison, the American PAC-3 and PAC-3 MSE interceptors can only shoot down ballistic missiles at altitudes of up to 40km and 60km respectively.

The battery will consist of a multifunctional radar station, command and control center, combat control room, and four launchers. The L-SAM is expected to come in two versions: an aircraft-killing vehicle and as a ballistic missile interceptor, according to local media.

Since the first successful test of intercepting a ballistic missile in November last year, many tests have been carried out. In this test, the technical maturity of the ballistic missile interception performance was confirmed before entering the test evaluation.

“Based on the success of this test, the military will be able to build a ‘Korean missile defense system’ more quickly in the future,” the ministry said.

In the future, the L-SAM will undergo experimental evaluation, full development in 2024, start mass production in 2025, and will be deployed to the Army in the mid-to-late 2020s.

National Defense Minister Lee Jong-seob said, “The development of the L-SAM II and M-SAM Block-III as well as the research and development of the L-SAM will be initiated at an early stage to rapidly build a layered vertical and horizontal missile defense system capable of responding to any missile threat.” North Korean.”

Director Park Jong-seong of KIST said, “Meanwhile, several tests have been conducted, from a test to confirm the basic performance of a guided missile to a test to intercept a ballistic missile, through which the performance of the L-SAM has been confirmed step by step. It has become a place for comprehensive verification of the L-SAM’s core capabilities, from the target detection and tracking capabilities of the multifunctional radar to the actual interception through precision guidance.”