South Korea to fast-track deployment of homegrown Iron Dome-style defense system by 2029
Published: 03 Apr. 2026, 18:49
Updated: 05 Apr. 2026, 18:39
The North Korean military is seen firing artillery during a training session on June 17, 2018, in this photo released by the Korean Central News Agency. [YONHAP
The South Korean Army will fast-track the deployment of a homegrown Iron Dome-style defense system by 2029, two years earlier than planned, to respond to North Korea’s long-range artillery threats.
The tightened deployment of Low Altitude Missile Defense (LAMD) reflects growing concerns over the rapid advancement of North Korea’s weapons, described as a “quantum jump” fueled in part by its involvement in overseas conflicts. The South Korean military is expected to prioritize early deployment of two prototype batteries.
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) approved revisions to the basic project strategy and system development plan for LAMD at a committee meeting, enabling earlier deployment of prototype units, DAPA said on Friday.
The total project cost has increased from the initial 650 billion won ($430 million) to 842 billion won, due to expanded interceptor testing quantities and additional facility and maintenance costs.
“Ahead of growing threats from enemy long-range artillery, the goal is to minimize capability gaps,” a DAPA official said. “This system is expected to enhance the survivability of key national and military facilities and improve joint operational capabilities in the early stages of war.”
Long-range artillery is a core component of North Korea’s threat to turn Seoul into a “sea of fire.” Deployed south of the Pyongyang-Wonsan line, North Korea is expected to fire large numbers of 240 millimeter (9.4 inches) and 300 mm rockets in the early stages of a conflict.
![A North Korean ground-to-sea missile is seen during a test launch near Pyongyang on Feb. 15, in this photo released by the Korean Central News Agency. [YONHAP]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/04/05/891fd9d1-9ee2-416a-82f3-b57fd967a377.jpg)
A North Korean ground-to-sea missile is seen during a test launch near Pyongyang on Feb. 15, in this photo released by the Korean Central News Agency. [YONHAP]
Some analyses estimate that 10,000 to 20,000 rounds could be fired per hour toward Seoul and surrounding areas. Because these projectiles fly at low altitudes of 5 to 10 kilometers (3 to 6 miles), existing missile defense systems such as the M-SAM, or Cheongung, and Patriot — which intercept targets at 15 to 20 kilometers — may not respond effectively.
Currently under development by the Agency for Defense Development and companies like LIG D&A and Hanwha, LAMD is designed to intercept targets at altitudes of up to 10 kilometers, forming the lowest tier of Korea’s missile defense system. It uses proximity-fuze fragmentation warheads that detonate near targets, similar in concept to Israel’s Iron Dome.
However, military authorities explain that while the Iron Dome is optimized for the intermittent rockets fired by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the LAMD is designed to counter North Korea's barrage of tens of thousands of rounds, meaning the scale of targets is fundamentally different.
![A Low Altitude Missile Defense (LAMD) platform developed by the South Korean military is seen in this screengrab taken from a video on the Ministry of Defense website [SCREEN CAPTURE]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/04/05/707e0309-25ef-4a84-87bf-c69d3d046476.jpg)
A Low Altitude Missile Defense (LAMD) platform developed by the South Korean military is seen in this screengrab taken from a video on the Ministry of Defense website [SCREEN CAPTURE]
Although not officially confirmed, LAMD is believed to consist of six launchers per battery, with each launcher capable of engaging up to 32 targets simultaneously. This would allow a single battery to respond to nearly 200 incoming artillery rounds.
At the same meeting, the committee also approved a plan to procure SM-3 ship-based ballistic missile interceptors for the ROKS King Jeongjo the Great-class Aegis destroyers (KDX-III Batch-II) via the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program. The project is budgeted at 753 billion won from this year through 2031.
However, ongoing U.S. military operations in the Middle East, particularly involving Iran, have increased demand for SM-3 interceptors. This may affect delivery timelines and costs. Each SM-3 interceptor costs more than 23 billion won.
With a maximum interception altitude of up to 500 kilometers, SM-3 targets ballistic missiles during their midcourse phase. Currently, the only high-altitude missile defense system on the Korean Peninsula above 100 kilometers is the U.S. Forces Korea’s Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) system. SM-3 is often described as having a longer range than Thaad.
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY LEE YU-JUNG [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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