There is growing outlook that the domestically made close-in weapons system for ships (CIWS-II) will establish itself as a next-generation defense export item. Expectations for U.S. exports of shipborne weapons systems have risen after the U.S. Navy unveiled a new shipbuilding plan that allows warship modules to be built at allied shipyards, including in Korea.
According to industry sources on the 28th, the domestic CIWS-II is currently undergoing component-by-component tests to verify heat durability, rate of fire, and more. All testing and evaluations are scheduled to be completed in 2028.
CIWS-II is a shipborne close-in defense weapon that combines six to seven autocannons, radar, and a fire-control system. It is used to intercept swarms of enemy drones or small aircraft that have penetrated all air defenses. The military authorities launched a project to localize this weapon to replace the Phalanx developed by U.S. companies RTX (formerly Raytheon) and General Dynamics.
The company overseeing the domestic CIWS-II program is LIG D&A. SNT Dynamics and Hyundai WIA split some of the production to supply the 30 mm gun barrels and turret systems, and the turret control unit, and LIG D&A installs the system on ships as the project proceeds.
The domestic CIWS-II under development is equipped with large-caliber rounds. It is being developed to the level capable of intercepting drones such as the Shahed, which drew attention in the recent Iran war, and even cruise missiles. This weapon, which can fire about 4,200 rounds per minute, is slated to be mounted on new destroyers to be operated by the Navy, including the Korea Destroyer Next Generation (KDDX), once testing is completed.
The U.S. market is where the domestic defense industry is focusing. The United States is facing growing concerns that frequent wars are undermining production capacity for missiles and air defense systems. The Ministry of National Defense also emphasized the need to boost production capacity and shorten delivery times when it signed an expanded Phalanx contract with RTX in Feb.
It is also seen as a positive sign that the United States has publicly expressed its intent to leverage allied shipbuilding capabilities. On the 11th (local time), the U.S. Navy announced a "shipbuilding plan" that includes the introduction of 15 Trump-class battleships by 2055, and said that for surface combatants, modules such as hull structures could be built in allied countries.
LIG D&A established a U.S. subsidiary in Apr. and is pursuing sales of a maritime air defense network solution that includes the 2.75-inch (about 70 mm) guided rocket "Bigung" and CIWS-II. Domestic defense companies are undergoing the Ministry of National Defense's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) process to enter the U.S. defense market.
An official in the defense industry said, "In the past, the U.S. warship market was closed, but now there is a mood emphasizing the need to diversify supply chains."
Some in the industry argue that the scope of CIWS-II's use should be expanded for exports. While development is currently underway for shipboard deployment, placing the weapon on land would allow it to be used as an anti-aircraft weapon to defend key national facilities such as nuclear power plants, airports, and runways. If mounted on a transporter erector launcher (TEL) or a vehicle platform, it could also be used as a mobile air defense weapons system.
A defense industry official said, "In regions such as the Middle East, where the U.S.-Iran war has unfolded, there are many asymmetric attacks using low-cost drones, and demand is growing for multipurpose weapons systems," adding, "Korea should also invest to broaden the scope of CIWS-II's applications."