South Korea’s Answer to Russia’s Oniks: New Submarine Armed with Supersonic Haeseong-5 Anti-Ship Missile

A new submarine for the South Korean Navy has been equipped with the Haeseong-5, a homegrown counterpart to Russia’s Oniks anti-ship missile.

X user @lfx160219 shared photos of the new missile system.

Transport and launch containers for the missile were unveiled during the official launch ceremony of the submarine Jang Yeong-sil.

The containers were displayed against the backdrop of the submarine bearing the inscription “Haeseong-5,” which experts believe is the name of the supersonic anti-ship missile South Korea tested in 2021.

Several companies are involved in the missile’s development: the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) is responsible for the guidance system, LIG Nex1 for the warhead and fuze, and Hanwha Aerospace for the ramjet engine.

At the same time, the missile’s aerodynamic design closely resembles that of the Russian Oniks, which – given South Korea’s past cooperation with Russia in missile technologies, particularly in the field of ballistic missiles and related programs – may partially indicate Russian involvement in its development.

The exact specifications of the missile remain unknown. However, the Ministry of National Defense notes that the missile’s cruising speed significantly exceeds Mach 1, confirming its supersonic flight characteristics.

Currently, the exact launch platforms for the missile remain unknown, but it is reported that South Korea’s domestically developed K-VLS vertical launch system could be used to deploy it.

Potential platforms include Sejong the Great-class (Batch-II) destroyers, the highly maneuverable Joint Fire Support Ship, as well as KDDX, FFX Batch-III, and Dosan Ahn Changho-class vessels.

South Korean analysts suggest that the missile has a maximum range of approximately 550 km and a launch trajectory similar to that of the standard Yakhont, using a thrust-vectoring system rather than side boosters to maintain the intended flight path.

In addition to anti-ship missiles for the surface fleet, South Korea’s defense industry is also developing supersonic missiles for its aviation component.

For example, at an airshow in Sachon, South Korea presented a supersonic air-to-ground missile designed for use with FA-50 light attack fighter jets as well as the new 4.5-generation KF-21 aircraft.

The missile is expected to complement South Korea’s air-launched strike arsenal, which currently includes Cheonryong missiles and the German Taurus cruise missile.

It is equipped with a high-precision guidance module and a ramjet engine, enabling speeds of around Mach 2.5 and a range of up to 300 km.