[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] This Year's First Defense Export Is Missiles

County Conducts Export KTSSM-I Test Launch at Anheung Test Site
Korean Patriot M-SAM-II Also Secures 4 Trillion Won Export Deal

The first defense export of this year is expected to be missiles. The Tactical Surface-to-Surface Guided Weapon (KTSSM-I), test-fired by the military on the 11th at the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) Anheung Test Site, has been confirmed for export. This is the first time KTSSM-I is being exported.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 12th, a senior government official stated, “A country intending to import missiles requested the KTSSM-I, which can be mounted on the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) Cheonmu, and a test launch was conducted the day before.”

Hanwha Aerospace, which produces the KTSSM-I, has been competing in exports against China’s NORINCO-developed King Dragon 300 missile. China emphasized that the King Dragon 300 missile is already operational and is a tactical missile with a range of 300 km. However, it is known to have scored lower in price competitiveness and delivery timing compared to the KTSSM-I. The export scale of KTSSM-I is 1.3 trillion won.

Our military also plans to operationalize the KTSSM-I starting this year. Unlike the export version equipped with high-explosive warheads, the KTSSM-I used by our military is intended to destroy long-range artillery bases built in underground tunnels by North Korea. The development timeline for KTSSM-II has also been accelerated, shortened from 2034 to 2030. Its range is longer as well, at 300 km, twice that of KTSSM-I (180 km).

The medium-range surface-to-air guided weapon (M-SAM-II, Cheongung-II), which has significantly improved range and interception rate, will also be exported. Known as the “Korean Patriot,” the M-SAM-II is considered a core force in the lower-tier defense system intercepting North Korean missiles at altitudes of 30 to 40 km. The M-SAM-II is an upgraded version of the operational M-SAM-I (below 20 km altitude).

The export scale this time is 4 trillion won. One battery consists of four launchers, 32 intercept missiles, radar, and a fire control center, and 10 batteries will be exported. M-SAM was also exported to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2022 for $3.5 billion (approximately 4.73 trillion won).

Meanwhile, our military plans to deploy these weapons along with the Patriot (PAC-2/PAC-3, below 40 km altitude) responsible for lower-tier defense, and the under-development M-SAM-III (above 40 km altitude). The M-SAM-III is a guided weapon with improved interception performance and engagement capability compared to the M-SAM-II, designed to effectively counter North Korean missiles. Approximately 2.83 trillion won will be invested in its development by 2034.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.