SEOUL: South Korea has successfully test-fired its first domestically developed hypersonic weapon system, marking a significant advancement in the nation’s defense capabilities. The test, observed by President Lee Jae Myung, was conducted amid heightened regional tensions following North Korea’s recent hypersonic missile activities.
The presidential office confirmed that President Lee witnessed the inaugural test launch of a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) currently under development using indigenous technology. These advanced weapons are launched via rocket boosters or ballistic missiles into the upper atmosphere before gliding toward targets at speeds exceeding five times the speed of sound.
The South Korean presidential Blue House described the system as a “key strategic asset capable of changing the course of the battlefield,” emphasizing that its unpredictable flight paths and exceptional speed allow precise strikes against critical strategic targets. The test specifically validated the performance of ultra-high-temperature heat-resistant materials, guidance and control systems, and low-altitude hypersonic flight capabilities.
Regional security analysts note that North Korea, still technically at war with the South, has intensified its hypersonic weapons testing with alleged Russian technological support. In response, South Korea has accelerated its own hypersonic weapons development, achieving what experts consider a successful milestone.
“South Korea has been devoting considerable effort to developing this technology and can be said to have achieved a successful test this time,” stated Hong Sung-pyo, senior researcher at the Seoul-based Korea Institute for Military Affairs, in comments to AFP.
The test demonstration showcased the glide vehicle’s ability to descend to low altitudes after separation, freely alter its trajectory in both vertical and horizontal directions, and accurately strike designated targets. The Blue House highlighted that this capability provides South Korea with “a new deterrence capability capable of striking key targets within the Korean Peninsula’s operational environment.”
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