In a move signaling its commitment to bolstering defense capabilities, South Korea has earmarked approximately $218 million to develop an enhanced version of its domestically produced bunker-buster missile. As outlined by the state arms procurement agency, Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), the investment seeks to fortify the nation’s defenses in the face of North Korea’s evolving missile and nuclear postures. This advanced Korean Tactical Surface-to-Surface Missile-II (KTSSM-II), set to operate from a mobile launcher, is expected to boost the military’s precision strike abilities, particularly against underground enemy positions, such as North Korea’s entrenched long-range artillery assets.
The push for this enhanced missile system stems from previous provocations, notably the 2010 artillery strike by North Korea on South Korea’s Yeonpyeong Island. In that incident, North Korean coastal artillery, based in underground tunnels, fired on the island, leading to the deaths of two marines and two civilians. This incident compelled South Korea to advance its existing missile technology. The revamped bunker-buster missile promises improved range, surpassing the current system’s 180-kilometer reach and enhanced penetration capabilities. However, DAPA has refrained from divulging specific details about the new weapon, citing operational security concerns.
Why It Matters
South Korea’s commitment of $218 million toward the enhancement of its bunker-buster missile capabilities adds an edge to its “Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation” (KMPR) strategy. This framework, initiated as a countermeasure to potential North Korean provocations, involves striking Pyongyang, including key leadership figures such as Kim Jong Un, in retaliation for any North Korean nuclear or conventional first strikes on the South. The soon-to-be-developed KTSSM-II would have an extended range, potentially covering all of North Korea.
This pivot toward an enhanced KMPR underlines a broader strategic recalibration in Seoul. Given North Korea’s rapidly evolving nuclear armament landscape, South Korea’s faith in deterrence-by-denial mechanisms, such as preemptive strikes and missile defense systems, appears shaky. The unveiling of North Korea’s “tactical nuclear attack submarine” on Sept. 8, assigned to patrol the waters flanking the Korean Peninsula and Japan, exacerbates Seoul’s concerns. Such advancements in North Korea’s arsenal signal augmented survivability against preemptive countermeasures.
From an economic and geopolitical standpoint, South Korea stands to gain significant traction in the global arms market. The successful induction of the vehicle-mounted KTSSM-II would reduce South Korea’s reliance on the US-made ATACMS surface-to-surface missile. It also translates into an opportunity for South Korea to widen its arms export portfolio, especially to countries that have integrated its K239 Chunmoo self-propelled multiple launch rocket system (MLRS). Poland agreed to procure 288 K239 Chunmoo multiple-rocket launchers in 2022. Similarly, countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE have already operationalized the K239 Chunmoo in their arsenals, amplifying the potential for more extensive South Korean arms exports.
In a move signaling its commitment to bolstering defense capabilities, South Korea has earmarked approximately $218 million to develop an enhanced version of its domestically produced bunker-buster missile. As outlined by the state arms procurement agency, Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), the investment seeks to fortify the nation’s defenses in the face of North Korea’s evolving missile and nuclear postures. This advanced Korean Tactical Surface-to-Surface Missile-II (KTSSM-II), set to operate from a mobile launcher, is expected to boost the military’s precision strike abilities, particularly against underground enemy positions, such as North Korea’s entrenched long-range artillery assets.
The push for this enhanced missile system stems from previous provocations, notably the 2010 artillery strike by North Korea on South Korea’s Yeonpyeong Island. In that incident, North Korean coastal artillery, based in underground tunnels, fired on the island, leading to the deaths of two marines and two civilians. This incident compelled South Korea to advance its existing missile technology. The revamped bunker-buster missile promises improved range, surpassing the current system’s 180-kilometer reach and enhanced penetration capabilities. However, DAPA has refrained from divulging specific details about the new weapon, citing operational security concerns.
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