Hanwha Systems has entered into a contractual agreement with the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) of South Korea to build an advanced Multi-Function Radar (MFR) for the L-SAM-II system, also known as ‘South Korea’s K-THAAD’.
The contract is valued at Won54.7bn ($40m).
The L-SAM-II is the second phase of the country’s Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile system. The K-THAAD is designed to counter ballistic missiles at altitudes and distances surpassing those of its predecessor, the original L-SAM, whose development concluded in late 2024.
This enhancement is set to bolster South Korea’s multi-layered missile defence capacity in response to increasing regional security concerns.
The L-SAM-II extends its operational range by three to four times over the initial model, incorporating advanced radar systems, improved command and control features, and advanced interceptor missiles.
Tasked with real-time detection and tracking of multiple distant targets, the newly developed Multi-Function Radar will serve as the critical sensory technology for the L-SAM-II.
Additionally, it will perform functions such as identifying allies or foes and guiding missiles, which are essential for mitigating ballistic missile dangers.
Featuring sophisticated algorithms designed for high-tier interception scenarios, the radar will offer extended detection and tracking capabilities beyond those of former models. It will be adept at discerning genuine threats from allies and benign objects like debris.
These advancements are poised to augment the effectiveness of intercepting long-range ballistic missiles and elevated threats.
Hanwha Systems defence electronics division head Hyuk Park said: “The radar is the core of any air defence system. We are committed to delivering cutting-edge solutions tailored to meet the needs of today’s complex battlefield.”
With a history spanning several decades in radar and defence electronics across various military domains, Hanwha Systems has contributed to projects such as AESA radars for KF-21 fighter jets and MFR systems for Korean Destroyers (KDDX) as well as FFX Batch-III frigates.
In the future, the company aims to penetrate the global market for early warning radars (EWR).
The company’s forthcoming EWR system is said to be capable of identifying missile threats from distances ranging between 2,000 and 3,000km.
Last month, Hanwha Aerospace entered a joint venture with Poland’s WB Group to manufacture guided missiles for the Homar-K multiple rocket launch system (MRLS).
