K-SAAM
Type: Long-Range Air Defense System
Domain: sea
Country of Origin: South Korea
Manufacturer: LIG Nex1
Overview
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.
Technical Specifications
| note | Korean Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile equivalent for ship self-defense |
|---|---|
| guidance | Active radar homing |
| platforms | Sejong the Great class DDG, newer frigates |
| max_range_km | 30 |
| max_altitude_m | 15000 |
| simultaneous_targets | 4 |
Operators
- South Korea
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