LIG Nex1

∙ Leading R&D for an aircraft weapon system development project carried out by the Agency for Defense Development, “mobilizing company-wide capabilities.” 
∙ Advancing toward completion of “Korean-Style Fighter”: R&D commenced on a comprehensive guided missile system and an imaging infrared seeker 
∙ Project completion expected to enable air-to-surface/air-to-air engagement of locally made fighters and improve competitiveness in defense exports 

LIG Nex1 (CEO: Shin Ick-hyun) is starting full-scale development of an aircraft weapon system that will lead to the completion of Korean-style fighters along with the Agency for Defense Development (ADD). 

The company announced that it has signed a contract for the development of the Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile II (hereinafter SRAAM II) project for system integration and missile prototype development on December 24. The SRAAM II project, supervised by ADD, deals with the development of a short-range air-to-air missile to be installed on the KF-21 fighter. The missile is aimed at destroying enemy aircraft during KF-21’s close-range air-to-air engagement and ensuring the survivability of friendly fighter jets.

The value of the entire program, including the announced project, is about KRW 207 billion. Under the project, system integration and missile integration will be made along with the development of key missile components such as imaging infrared seeker, guidance and control system, inertial navigation system, actuator, and target detection system until 2032. 

When the project is completed, KF-21 will be mounted with locally manufactured short-range air-to-air missiles in addition to Korean-made long-range air-to-surface missiles. Localization of core technologies is expected to contribute to technological independence and shared growth of the domestic defense industry.  

LIG Nex1 has played a crucial role in developing an air defense system to be mounted on KF-21 by being selected as the system integrator for SRAAM II, as well as KGGB, a Korean-style GPS-guided munition, and the long-distance air-to-surface missile known as Korean-style TAURUS. This is likely to help boost the development of Korean air defense technologies and competitiveness in defense exports. 

The company is also working on proactive measures to fulfill its role as befitting the status of a trusted leader in guided weapons.  
It is getting ready for the self-funded investment in consideration of a long-range air-to-air missile development project that will mark a major milestone for air defense system development in the future. At the same time, it is making active efforts in diversification and technological development of aircraft weapon systems by, for example, displaying L-MCM, an in-house developed Korean-style multi-purpose cruise missile, and L-MSM, a modular missile capable of anti-ship and land-attack missions and non-strike missions such as communication and jamming at ADEX 2025.  

CEO Shin commented, “We plan to mobilize all company-wide capabilities for the successful development of SRAAM II based on close collaboration with the Agency for Defense Development, the implementing organization of the project, and other relevant organizations and companies. We will do our utmost to promote the status of K-defense through a package strategy for Korean-made fighters and domestic aircraft weapon systems.”