South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) will advance the deployment of a homegrown Low-Altitude Missile Defense (LAMD) system, akin to Israel's Iron Dome, by two years to 2029 to counter North Korean long-range artillery threats. The government plans to invest 842 billion won (US$558 million) by 2030. The decision was approved at a pan-government committee on defense projects.
South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced on April 3 that it will deploy a prototype of the Low-Altitude Missile Defense (LAMD) system by 2029, two years ahead of the original 2031 schedule, to counter North Korea's long-range artillery and multiple rocket launcher threats. The LAMD consists of radar, tactical communications, launchers, and interceptors, designed to intercept simultaneous low-altitude attacks from North Korea.
The decision was approved at a pan-government committee meeting on defense project promotion. Seoul and its surrounding areas, home to about half of South Korea's 51 million population, fall within range of North Korea's long-range artillery. The prototype deployment will include ongoing overhauls to replace aging components, speeding up the integration of new weapons.
The government plans to invest 842 billion won (US$558 million) in LAMD development by 2030. According to Yonhap News Agency, DAPA also intends to acquire Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) shipborne interceptors for the 8,200-ton Aegis destroyer of the Jeongjo the Great class through foreign military sales. The agency aims to finalize the deal this year with 753 billion won, following a 2024 decision to pursue the purchase.
