SAMP T NG

The

Range

Detection ≥ 350 km - Interception ≥ 150 km

Mission-proven

Permanent protection of airspace

360° protection

Rotating radar and missile launched vertically

Mobility

Fast deployment on all kind of roads

Interoperability

Easy to integrate into all types of air defense network - Fitted for IAMD

Autonomy

Preserve sovereign employment in operation

South Korea

Like China, South Korea is almost selfsufficient in air defence. The Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) fields Hanwha’s K30 Biho Hybrid with twin 30mm cannons and LIG Nex1 KP-SAM Chiron missiles. Then, in 2021, the ROKA received its first Chunho Antiaircraft Gun Wheeled Vehicle System (AAGW) from Hanwha Defense, acquired under a $207.7 million contract. Based on Hyundai Rotem’s K808 chassis, the AAGW achieves a 95 percent indigenisation rate. With a range of 1.8 miles (3km), its twin 30mm cannons are paired with an electro-optic/infrared tracking system.

Hanwha Defense is also developing a 30-ton Biho II based on a Tigon 8x8 chassis. It will feature a New-Generation Air Defence System turret that can fit either a 30mm or 40mm cannon, plus eight short-range SAMs, four mediumrange missiles, and S-band and X-band radars.

Significantly, South Korea signed an memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Arab Emirates on 16 January 2022, covering KM-SAM Block II medium-range systems. Although details are scant, the deal is reportedly worth $3.76 billion, encompassing Hanwha Defense for launchers and resupply vehicles, Hanwha Systems for X-band multifunction radars and LIG Nex1 for missiles and system integration. The ROK Air Force (ROKAF) has used the KM-SAM since 2016, but this was its first export sale.

Originally designed to replace ROKAF MIM-23 HAWKs, South Korea initially relied on Russian technical assistance for the KM-SAM. The 15ft (4.6m) long missile can intercept hostile aircraft and missiles at ranges below 25 miles (40km) and 65,500ft (20km) in altitude. Development of the Block II commenced in 2012, and Seoul announced in November 2020 that the first of seven ROKAF Block II batteries had entered service; production of the Block I ceased in April 2020.

C-UAS

UAVs and loitering munitions have evolved into a deadly menace for vehicles and soldiers anywhere on the battlefield. Instead of fielding expensive air defence artillery and missile systems, perhaps a more cost-effective method of dealing with them is through remotecontrolled weapon systems (RWS).

Matt Jones, executive vice president of Defence Systems at EOS, explained that his Australia-based company is working heavily in this area. By utilising its Titanis integrated C-UAS system, Jones said that EOS is already performing 3,200+ft (1+km) engagements with an R400 RWS armed with a 30mm cannon, and it is targeting a 1.2 mile (2km) range with a Mk44S cannon. “So with a system you’ve [already] deployed on a vehicle platform, you’re starting to have lethality solutions that can deal with both ground and air targets, and that’s not a capability currently offered in any other competitive systems, who don’t offer the accuracy and ranges we can achieve.”

Jones said EOS’ RWS with a C-UAS capability is “creating a lot more interest with our various markets at the moment because, obviously, the UAV threat is maturing, and loitering munitions are becoming increasingly a problem. And the last thing you want to do is introduce specialist platforms just to deal with UAVs. If you can deal with it with existing platforms with existing remote weapon stations, you actually save a lot of investment.”

Against cheap targets like small UAVs, directed energy provides many advantages too. Countries are pouring money into research and development of lasers, and EOS of Australia has been investing in directed energy for the past three years. Jones told AMR: “We’ve now fielded and successfully tested a 36 kilowatt directed-energy system that’s currently in a 20-foot container-based deployment option. It’s designed to work as part of the Titanis counter-UAS system as an effector like a cannon or a jammer. But it’s designed to engage drones up to group three.”

The 36kW system has an engagement range of 1.2 miles (2km), but that is undergoing further development with the aim of reaching 56kW and 2.4 miles (4km) range in a smaller form factor. “We’re shrinking it and making the power go up, over time.” This work is being carried on in conjunction with Singapore, and Jones said EOS has been contracted to run a number of trial and demonstration activities in Australia.

“That’s an investment in the future because, as we’re seeing in Ukraine with the proliferation of loitering munitions, drones, cruise missiles and other systems, the challenge isn’t necessarily shooting them down, the challenge is actually the supply chain getting the ammunition or missiles up to the system that engages the threats.” Therein lies the advantage of lasers, for, as long as electrical power is available, the weapon can continue engaging targets without the need for ammunition resupply.

Asked whether directed energy will be a major growth area, Jones responded, “Yes, very much. I think that we’re on the cusp of a transition in the technology. There has been a lot of promise for a number of decades, people have been promising lasers are coming. The lasers are here … So it’s definitely an emerging weapon technology that will only proliferate as it matures.”

Conclusion

Given that Russia invaded Ukraine less than a year ago, and that many militaries are still processing lessons learned from that conflict, AMR expects there to be a rising tide of interest in Asia-Pacific for GBAD systems in the months and years ahead. While American, Russian and European solutions are readily available, Asian countries such as China and South Korea are increasingly becoming exporters of air defence systems too.