Haegung Naval SAM

Indigenous short-range naval surface-to-air missile system providing Republic of Korea Navy warships with point defence against anti-ship missiles, aircraft, helicopters, and UAVs. The Haegung (Sea Bow) system consists of a 21-round guided missile launcher (similar in concept to the RAM launcher) integrated with the ship's combat management system and fire control sensors. The missile features an infrared homing seeker for passive terminal guidance, with mid-course updates from the ship's sensors. Effective range of approximately 9 km. Developed as a Korean alternative to the American RAM system, the Haegung was first deployed on KDX-III Aegis destroyers in the dedicated K-VLS cells and subsequently integrated into multiple ROK Navy surface combatant classes including PKX patrol vessels and FFX frigates. The system provides a cost-effective inner-layer defence complementing the SM-2 and ESSM area defence missiles.