The Cheongwang laser weapon [DAPA]
South Korea has developed a homegrown version of the laser oscillator at the heart of its Cheongwang laser weapon, replacing a German-made core component and opening the way to mass-producing low-cost drone interceptors with domestic technology.
The breakthrough matters because cheap, mass-produced weapons such as drones have become decisive tools in modern warfare, a lesson drawn from the wars in Ukraine and Iran.
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The Agency for Defense Development and Hanwha Systems successfully developed the laser oscillator for the Block-I laser antiaircraft weapon, known as Cheongwang, in late May, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said Monday. Going forward, new Cheongwang systems will use the domestically-built oscillator in place of the German-made part relied on up until now.
