L-SAM Succeeds In Intercepting The Target Missile In Its First Launch

On November 22nd, South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD) conducted a non-public test launch to intercept a target missile with its long-range surface-to-air missile L-SAM, South Korea-type THAAD, and the first launch has been a success. Seoul officially announced the successful test launch of the L-SAM this February and succeeded in the second phase of the interception test of target missile only nine months later.

L-SAM was designed to intercept enemy missiles flying at an altitude of 40 to 70 km. If put into practical use as soon as possible, Seoul’s armed forces are expected to set up a stronger defense network. By using L-SAM together with the Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-1) missile for the lower level (15 to 40 km), the medium-range surface-to-air missile Tiangong-II and the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile for the upper level (40 to 150 km), a multi-layered missile defense system will be established. The North Korean military planned to complete the L-SAM system development by 2024, start mass production by 2026 and put it into operational deployment by 2028. However, Pyongyang’s efforts to increasingly upgrade its missile capability would force Seoul to deploy the South-Korea-type THAAD in advance.