LIG Nex1 Completes Construction of CIWS-II Assembly and Test Facilities Optimized for Development and Mass Production at Gumi.
LIG Nex1 press release – translation by Naval News
On June 26th, LIG Nex1 held a completion ceremony for the construction of CIWS-II system assembly building, near-field testing facility, and the third radar system test facility at its Gumi House in Gumi.
The event was attended by LIG Nex1 CEO Ik-hyun Shin, officials from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, as well as representatives from the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), the Defense Agency for Technology and Quality (DTaQ), partner companies, and the city of Gumi. Attendees celebrated the completion of the dedicated facilities and reaffirmed their commitment to the successful completion of the development project.
The CIWS-II system assembly building and test sites, completed with an investment of 21 billion KRW (approx. $15 million USD), are equipped with optimal facilities and equipment for system assembly, systems integration and simulated interoperation testing, as well as performance verification, supporting both the development and mass production of CIWS-II.
CIWS (Close-In Weapon System) is the last line of defense on warships, designed to intercept anti-ship missiles and other close-range threats if vessel’s air defense systems such as surface-to-air missiles fail to intercept them.
LIG Nex1 plans to complete development of the CIWS-II by 2027, which features a 360-degree all-direction AESA radar, electro-optical tracking equipment, and a 30mm Gatling gun for enhanced range, response speed, and firepower.
In particular, the system is planned to incorporate Advanced Hit Efficiency and Destruction (AHEAD)/SPREAD munitions to effectively respond to drone swarms and enhance its capability to defend key facilities and bases, such as power plants and airports, against threats like surface-to-surface cruise missiles and rocket artillery.
With the CIWS-II production facility as a foundation, we will do our utmost to ensure successful R&D and mass production, and further expand into land-based system development and overseas exports.
Ik-hyun Shin, CEO of LIG Nex1
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Naval News comment
Both the recently delivered FFX Batch-III frigate ROKS Chungnam and the newly launched ROKS Gyeongbuk have yet to be equipped with a close-in weapon system (CIWS). The announcement of LIG Nex1’s completion of mass production and testing facilities for CIWS-II is a strong indicator that the system’s development is progressing smoothly. This raises expectations that Republic of Korea Navy warships will soon be equipped with CIWS-II, significantly enhancing their close-in defense capabilities.
Moreover, as highlighted in CEO Shin Ik-hyun’s remarks, LIG Nex1 is considering an evolutionary path for CIWS-II that includes a ground-based variant. This is reminiscent of the U.S. military’s adaptation of the shipborne CIWS into the land-based C-RAM (Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar) system. Similarly, South Korea appears to be eyeing the system as a potential last line of defense to protect critical infrastructure, such as power plants and airbases, as well as to contribute to the air defense of the Seoul Capital Area against emerging threats including North Korea’s new loitering munitions, short-range ballistic missiles, and long-range artillery.
