Korean Surface-to-Air Anti-Missile — an indigenous ship-based point defence missile system designed to replace the RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) on Republic of Korea Navy warships. The K-SAAM provides close-in defence against anti-ship cruise missiles, aircraft, and UAVs at ranges beyond the capability of gun-based CIWS. Features an infrared imaging seeker with dual-band capability for high resistance to countermeasures, combined with inertial mid-course guidance and datalink updates from the ship's combat management system. The compact missile is designed for high-density vertical launch from lightweight launcher modules. Development aims to provide a fully indigenous solution for the critical inner-layer ship air defence role, reducing dependence on US-supplied RAM missiles. Planned for integration on KDX-III Batch-II destroyers, FFX-III frigates, and other future combatants.
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- 30km range provides area defense beyond Haegung
- Active radar seeker — fire and forget
- 4 simultaneous engagements
- VLS compatible
- Korean domestic to reduce US Sparrow dependency
- 30km limited vs long-range threats
- Korean-only operator
- Limited combat validation
- VLS magazine depth constrains salvo capability
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