S. Korean Defense System ‘blinds’ incoming missiles with laser

South Korea has announced that it has tested an indigenous counter missile system for military aircraft to evade enemy portable surface-to-air missiles.

The directional infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) system enables aerial vehicles to dodge missiles by emitting a laser beam, which blinds incoming missiles that rely on heat detection to trace and target jets. The system can also be used in larger aircraft when enhanced with stronger laser output.

“The system is significant that it has drastically shortened the response time, enabling aircraft to guard against portable surface-to-air missiles from a close range,” South Korea’s state-owned Agency for Defense Development said in a statement.

The agency also said that the defense system is ready for deployment.

South Korea has been working on the DIRCM since 2014 when a prototype of the weapon system was developed. In 2018, the system passed initial development tests.