The Korean dome: Hanwha to develop advanced radar to detect hundreds of targets

In South Korea, Hanwha has been selected to develop a prototype of a multifunctional radar for low-altitude missile defense, called the Korean Iron Dome.

The Koreait Times reported that the contract is worth 131.5 billion Korean won (approximately $92 million).

The company should complete the development of the prototype by November 2028.

The new radar will be designed to intercept a large number of missiles flying at low altitudes and over short distances.

Hanwha aims to develop a next-generation radar system that will surpass the capabilities of Israel’s Iron Dome system in handling multiple simultaneous targets in a dense threat environment.

The newest air defense system is expected to serve as the “last shield” for the Republic of Korea’s capital area.

The multifunctional radar system, considered the “eyes” of anti-aircraft missile systems, can perform complex tasks such as detection, tracking and friend-or-foe identification.

In particular, the radar system must be able to distinguish and track hundreds of individual missiles in real time within a limited airspace.

Hanwha Systems, a leader in South Korea’s defense industry and radar technology, has extensive experience in radar development.

Following the export of the Cheongung-II (M-SAM-II) missile system to the Middle East, global interest in Korean air defense systems is growing.

“It’s hard to imagine an advanced and modern air defense system” without radar. We are focused on developing radar technologies that not only strengthen national defense, but also stimulate the expansion of our global defense exports,” Hanwha’s representative shared.

At the same time, such systems will not be the latest. Recently, the US Marine Corps has also signed the first contract for the supply of the MRIC missile defense system, which is a localized version of the Israeli Iron Dome. The MRIC battery consists of 11 firing groups. Each of them includes four trailer launchers with transport and launch containers for 20 missiles, as well as an AN/TPS-80 radar station.