German Rheinmetall and South Korean LIG Defense & Aerospace (D&A) plan to develop new surface-to-air missile of new range. Besides typical targets like aircraft and helicopters it will be designed for shooting down glide bombs, or GABs.
As LIG representative told hartpunkt at Eurosatory 2026 arms exhibition in Paris, new missile received designation C-PGM/ESHORAD. Its range will be 20 km, with maximum operating altitude declared approximately 6-7 km, although noted practical engagement will likely occur at lower altitude.
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Not yet decided which seeker will be used, but quite possibly this will be radar seeker. Development is planned to be fully completed in three years, ideally in two years, meaning readiness in 2028-2029.
Also at exhibition, launcher for such missile was shown, based on truck with 16 launch cells. Skynex air defense system integration is planned, currently equipped only with guns.
Defense Express notes this sounds quite interesting for Ukraine by concept, given massive russian GAB use creates such large problem. Additionally, Air Forces already use Skynex anti-aircraft guns, so integration will not be as complex.
On other hand quite unlikely such air defense system can be deployed specifically at front. However, with its help important near-front facilities and civilian population could still be covered.
Also exists question of such missile price and production rates, insufficient quantity of which may limit system usefulness. Expected 2028-2029 readiness is still quite far, at about same level as MBDA DEFENDAIR surface-to-air missile, which will be integrated into Skyranger 30 for Germany.
Most important argument against Ukraine supply, South Korean company involvement in project. This country previously already banned KM-SAM II air defense system sales to Ukraine, so quite likely such joint project may also not receive permission.
Overall entire development will be conducted within Rheinmetall and LIG Defense & Aerospace air defense system development cooperation, providing for joint enterprise creation. Besides working on new assets, existing South Korean surface-to-air missiles are planned for localization.
Recall Eurosatory 2026 also presented Ukrainian own glide bomb, so-called GAB, Vyrivnyuvach. It is already in serial production and has been used in combat.
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