South Korea Develops Low Altitude Missile Defense (LAMD), Dubbed the “Korean Iron Dome”

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — To counter the threat of long-range rocket and artillery attacks from Pyongyang’s regime, South Korea has initiated the development of an interceptor system similar to Israel’s Iron Dome, called the “Korean Iron Dome.”

South Korea’s arms procurement agency, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), announced recently that the government plans to spend 479.8 billion won (RM329 million) by 2028 to develop the interceptor system.

Named the Low Altitude Missile Defense (LAMD) system, or Korean Iron Dome, the system is designed to intercept incoming artillery rounds fired simultaneously.

“The long-range artillery interception system (LAMD: Low Altitude Missile Defense) is an anti-aircraft weapon system currently being developed by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD). It is designed to protect critical national and military facilities in metropolitan areas from North Korea’s long-range artillery threats, which are capable of simultaneous strikes,” the statement from DAPA said.

“DAPA and ADD aim to develop a long-range artillery interception system with performance exceeding that of the Iron Dome, which has gained prominence for its use by Israel in conflicts against Hamas. The system is expected to intercept a higher number of targets simultaneously,” the statement added.

South Korea is working to strengthen its air defense capabilities in Seoul, considering North Korea’s significant stockpile of long-range artillery systems, including cannons and rockets, which are positioned within striking distance of the wider capital area — home to half of the nation’s 51 million people.

DAPA noted that the Korean Iron Dome would help protect key military installations from North Korea’s artillery threats, adding that efforts are being made to accelerate the operational deployment of the locally developed system.

The Korean Iron Dome development project will involve South Korea’s state-run Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and defense companies such as LIG Nex1, Hanwha Aerospace, and Hanwha Systems, according to DAPA.

Bang Geuk-cheol, Director of the Missile Weapons Business Division at DAPA, emphasized that the development of the long-range artillery interception system, or Korean Iron Dome, signifies South Korea’s commitment to ensuring robust air defense capabilities to safeguard civilian lives and critical national and military facilities against major threats posed by North Korea’s long-range artillery.

“We are exploring measures to expedite the deployment of this long-range artillery interception system. To this end, we will work more closely with the Defense Development Agency, the military, and prototype developers,” Bang stated.

Israel’s Iron Dome, operational since 2011, serves as either a standalone defense system or as part of a layered air defense strategy. Each Iron Dome battery comprises three to four launchers, with each launcher equipped with 20 Tamir interceptor missiles.

The system can counter a variety of threats, including cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, precision-guided munitions, drones, and low-flying aircraft, at ranges exceeding 70 kilometers (43 miles).

Developers of the Iron Dome claim a 90-percent success rate, having intercepted over 5,000 hostile rockets.

— DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA