South Korean Procurement - Iron Hawk II

Channel A Top Ten News today covered an alleged acquisition dispute within the South Korean Ministry of Defense over the choice of missile defense systems to protect the country from North Korean ballistic missile threats. Although there is currently a US THAAD missile defense site in South Korea that was the subject of much controversy last year, the Channel A discussion focused on the SM-3 missile defense system and the South Korean Iron Hawk II, terminal defense system. The issue portrayed was whether, under the circumstances, the production and integration of the Iron Hawk II into the Korean Air Defense system is worthwhile at this point.

Defense integration date for the Iron Hawk II system is 2021. According to Channel A, the current defense minister of South Korea, Song Yong Mu, has variously wanted to suspend, reduce or cut the Iron Hawk II program considering it a waste of resources. According to this report, the Defense Ministry was anticipating integration into the Naval Aegis defense system in 2023.

Uniformed elements within the Defense department of South Korea are opposed to giving up the Iron Hawk II. The Iron Hawk II system is a terminal flight phase interceptor, while THAAD and SM-3 are mid flight phase interceptors with much longer range and high altitude interception capabilities. The longer ranges of these ballistic missile defense (BMD) systems may be ineffective in defending against short range ballistic missiles that endanger potential targets in South Korea closer to North Korea. Therefore the longer range THAAD missile system needs to be supplemented by a terminal phase interceptor such as the SM 6 or the Iron Hawk II. (Currently the South Koreans are reported to have 8 PAC 3 Patriot Batteries.) One disadvantage of the Iron Hawk II is that it may be ineffective defending against an EMP high altitude attack. The Aegis SM 6 point interceptor has higher altitude capability and longer range. Another requirement of the short range interceptor Iron Hawk II, is that it requires eight launch sites throughout South Korea. One site is considered adequate in South Korea for a long range BMD, such as an Aegis Ashore installation. (There is only one THAAD site currently. Japan is planning on two Aegis Ashore installations.)

Elements of the defense community in South Korea also wish to preserve the indigenous missile development program. The political ramifications of stationing another long range ABM missile defense system in South Korea with respect to China, which took stern economic measures against South Korea when the THAAD was originally deployed in Seongju, South Korea, weren't discussed. The waffling back and forth by the Defense Minister concerning the Iron Hawk II development and procurement program since last November may be motivated by estimation of the threat from North Korea and assessments of Iron Hawk II's capability to address that threat. At present, suggestions that Aegis Ashore may be in the offing in South Korea may be more imaginary than real.