- News>
- World
South Korea develops portable anti-aircraft missile
Seoul, Oct 30: South Korea`s state-run defence institute said today it had developed a portable surface-to-air guided missile for the first time.
Seoul, Oct 30: South Korea's state-run defence institute said today it had developed a portable surface-to-air guided missile for the first time.
The Agency for Defence Development (ADD) said it would begin mass-producing the Singung, nicknamed Chiron, missiles early next year for operational deployment.
"Singung will significantly enhance the military's morale and the air-defence system," ADD's chief missile developer Lee Un-Bong told a news conference held at the defence ministry.
Lee said the 60 million-dollar project was the first time South Korea developed a portable anti-aircraft missile.
Tests showed the missile could hit more than 90 per cent of targeted aircraft flying at a distance of up to seven km and at a speed of mach 0.7-0.8, he said.
South Korea has an unidentified number of French-made mistral and US-made stinger missiles, while North Korea is said to have around 1,000 mostly Russian-made shoulder-launched SA-7S and SA-16S.
The ADD said the Singung missile costs around 180 million won (153,000 dollars), cheaper than a mistral which costs Seoul 230 million won.
It said it expects to produce 500 Singung annually from next year. Bureau Report
"Singung will significantly enhance the military's morale and the air-defence system," ADD's chief missile developer Lee Un-Bong told a news conference held at the defence ministry.
Lee said the 60 million-dollar project was the first time South Korea developed a portable anti-aircraft missile.
Tests showed the missile could hit more than 90 per cent of targeted aircraft flying at a distance of up to seven km and at a speed of mach 0.7-0.8, he said.
South Korea has an unidentified number of French-made mistral and US-made stinger missiles, while North Korea is said to have around 1,000 mostly Russian-made shoulder-launched SA-7S and SA-16S.
The ADD said the Singung missile costs around 180 million won (153,000 dollars), cheaper than a mistral which costs Seoul 230 million won.
It said it expects to produce 500 Singung annually from next year. Bureau Report