An executive from Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems says South Korea has the production capability and unique expertise to help develop hypersonic missile defense systems.
According to a Defence Blog report, Rafael Vice President Yuval Baseski told South Korean media that there is growing threat from North Korea and Iran, noting that they have been investing heavily in hypersonic technology in this “new era in air defense.” The executive is expected to continue discussions on potential cooperation during a visit to Seoul in September for the World Knowledge Forum.
Hypersonic glide vehicles can travel at speeds above Mach 5 while maneuvering mid-air, making them difficult to track and intercept. Unlike conventional ballistic or cruise missiles, their unpredictable flight paths pose significant challenges to existing defense systems.
Baseski warned that conventional interception strategies against these weapons are inadequate. He advocates for a zone-defense approach, where multiple interceptors protect designated areas, noting that attempting to shoot down hypersonic missiles with single interceptors is like “defending LeBron James with a single player.”
Rafael is advancing the Sky Sonic interceptor to meet this challenge and sees South Korean expertise as vital to the effort.
“South Korea’s large-scale manufacturing ability is among the best in the world,” Baseski said, adding that the country’s knowledge of mountainous terrain could help refine system design. He also highlighted the commercial opportunity, noting that no existing solution addresses hypersonic threats and that early development could provide both strategic and economic benefits.
In January, North Korea said it tested a new intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile that reached an altitude of about 100 km and traveled about 1,500 km at 12 times the speed of sound. Iran has also made strides and continued to expand its missile program, unveiling the Qassem Baseer, a solid-fueled hypersonic ballistic missile with a reported range of 1,200 kilometers, in May.
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