The South Korean Government has reportedly approved mass production of a new kind of tactical ground-based missile.
Yonhap reported officials as saying that the Korean Tactical Surface to Surface Missiles (KTSSM) are designed to take on North Korean underground artillery bases.
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North Korea had displayed previously unseen intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) at a military parade in the capital of Pyongyang.
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) stated during a defence project promotion committee that the approval will see the manufacture of over 200 units of the KTSSM missiles by 2025.
DAPA added that the project is worth KRW450bn ($406.14m) and the country will develop the new weapons using its own technology.
An additional investment of KRW320m was set aside for the mass production.
DAPA was quoted by the news agency as saying: “This project is to destroy long-range artillery pieces hidden in underground tunnels in order to neutralise enemies’ attack at the shortest time possible.”
The missile will provide a flight range of approximately 120km and can strike multiple targets precisely.
They are expected to commence combat operations in 2022.
Earlier this month, the US Army and Northrop Grumman installed the enhanced Joint Tactical Ground Station (JTAGS) capabilities in South Korea.
Last month, the US and South Korea reaffirmed their military alliance and agreed to further strengthen defence cooperation amid increasing regional tensions.
