South Korea Begins Production of KSAM-II Ship-to-Air Missile for KDDX Destroyers

South Korea's defence firm LIG Nex1 (formerly LIG Defense & Aerospace) has started assembling prototype KSAM-II missiles at its Gumi facility. The six‑metre, Mach‑5 interceptor, designed to replace the U.S. SM‑2, will be installed in the Korean Vertical Launching System on future KDDX‑class destroyers and FFX Batch IV frigates. Production of the first flight‑test missiles began in July 2026, with each missile undergoing about 20 assembly stages over three months. The program, overseen by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), is budgeted at roughly KRW 690 billion, with a contract value of KRW 330.6 billion for development. More than ten test launches are planned before the system enters service, and the missile aims for a localisation rate above 90 percent, enhancing the Republic of Korea Navy’s independent air‑defence capability.

The new line was opened on 14 July 2026, ahead of the completion of flight‑qualification trials, to avoid delays between ship delivery and weapon availability. The KSAM‑II features an active‑radar seeker with a third‑generation GaN transmitter, capable of updating target position 100 times per second, and is intended to counter aircraft, cruise missiles and supersonic threats.