{"id":2202427,"date":"2023-10-05T19:54:24","date_gmt":"2023-10-05T10:54:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2202427"},"modified":"2023-10-06T17:18:33","modified_gmt":"2023-10-06T08:18:33","slug":"why-south-koreas-new-indigenous-missile-interceptor-cant-replace-thaad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/10\/why-south-koreas-new-indigenous-missile-interceptor-cant-replace-thaad\/","title":{"rendered":"Why South Korea\u2019s new indigenous missile interceptor can\u2019t replace THAAD"},"content":{"rendered":"
South Korea <\/span>showed off<\/span><\/a> its long-range surface-to-air missile (L-SAM) for the first time at a military parade in Seoul last month, a system that is central to the country\u2019s evolving missile defense strategy, in particular for defending against threats from North Korea.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Currently in its <\/span>final<\/span><\/a> development phase, the L-SAM system is anticipated to enter <\/span>mass production<\/span><\/a> in two years. It is <\/span>designed<\/span><\/a> to provide mid-altitude interception coverage, complementing other missile defense systems tailored for different altitude ranges.<\/span><\/p>\n However, experts told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i> that the present configuration of the L-SAM system cannot serve as a comprehensive substitute for the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (<\/span>THAAD<\/span><\/a>) system, which has been a <\/span>point of contention<\/span><\/a> with China in the past.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n MISSILE DEFENSE STRATEGY<\/b><\/p>\n L-SAM is vital for South Korea\u2019s drive to bolster the Korea Air and Missile Defense system \u2014 one of the integral components of the so-called three-axis system, along with <\/span>Kill Chain<\/span><\/a> and the <\/span>Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n The THAAD system specializes in medium-to-high altitude interception, ranging from 25 to 90 miles (40 to 150 km). Meanwhile, upon deployment, the L-SAM will target medium altitudes of 25 to 44 miles (40 to 70 km). M-SAM-II and the U.S. Patriot system (PAC-3) ensure protection within the nine to 25-mile (15 to 40 km) altitude range at the lower spectrum.<\/span><\/p>\n L-SAM underwent successful tests between <\/span>Nov. 2022<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>June<\/span><\/a> of this year. It is slated for final evaluations by the end of 2023, with mass production planned for <\/span>2025<\/span><\/a> to 2026 and full-scale deployment anticipated <\/span>between<\/span><\/a> 2027 and 2028.<\/span><\/p>\n L-SAM can engage targets up to 124 miles (<\/span>200 km<\/span><\/a>) away using active radar guidance. Notably, its S-band frequencies contrast with THAAD\u2019s X-band: The S-band can detect ballistic missiles and aircraft further away but offers <\/span>lower precision<\/span>.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Despite the drawback in resolution, S-band radars are cheaper to produce than the X-band alternatives.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n However, public data that can confirm the L-SAM\u2019s effectiveness remains elusive.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe initial L-SAM, in theory, should be an indigenous analog to the lower engagement altitudes covered by the THAAD system, but we don\u2019t have good data on its performance across as many tests as we do for THAAD,\u201d Ankit Panda, Stanton Senior Fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told <\/span>Korea Pro.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s like having insurance,\u201d explained Choi Gi-il, a professor of national security division at Sangji University. \u201cIt would be ideal if the ROK could quickly intercept missiles at higher altitudes. However, if interception at 150 km fails, we would try again at 100 km, and if that fails, attempt again at lower altitudes like 80 km and 70 km and so on.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n In its current iteration, the L-SAM would primarily \u201csupplement\u201d the THAAD system, particularly if high-altitude interceptions don\u2019t succeed, Choi emphasized. The remaining task for South Korea is to increase the L-SAM\u2019s interception success rate at its designated altitude without necessarily encroaching on THAAD\u2019s entire range of coverage, he said.<\/span><\/p>\n