South Korea has embarked on an ambitious project to develop its first domestically produced long-range air-to-ground cruise missile, the Cheonryong. Dubbed the “Korean Taurus,” the Cheonryong is designed to rival and potentially surpass the performance of Germany’s Taurus missile, globally recognized for its precision and stealth capabilities.
The Cheonryong project began in 2018, with initial research and validation completed by 2021. Full-scale development started in early 2022, targeting completion by 2028. The project, led by LIG Nex1 for system development and Hanwha Aerospace for engine development, has a total investment of 810 billion won ($570 million) planned through 2031, including 310 billion won ($215 million) for development and 500 billion won ($350 million) for production. It’s projected to generate an economic impact of 430 billion won ($320 million) and create over 3,700 jobs.
The missile is modeled after the Taurus, a 1.4-ton weapon with a 480-kg warhead and advanced navigation systems, capable of penetrating up to 8 meters of reinforced concrete before detonation. Its triple-layered navigation system—image-based navigation (IBN), terrain reference navigation (TRN), and inertial navigation (INS)—enables precision strikes with a circular error probability (CEP) of 1–2 meters while evading radar and jamming.
The Cheonryong seeks to replicate and improve these features, positioning itself as a critical asset for neutralizing deeply buried bunkers, including North Korea’s leadership facilities. Its design includes a hybrid navigation system, stealthy airframe, and anti-jamming capabilities, making it harder to detect and counter.
South Korea has a strong foundation in long-range missile capabilities, having acquired 260 Taurus 350K missiles in 2016 for its F-15K fighter jets. The country is also collaborating with Germany to develop the next-generation Taurus 350K-2, which is expected to be completed within the next few years.
The Cheonryong represents a strategic shift toward domestic weapon production. As a “bunker buster,” it will provide South Korea with a potent tool for deterring threats from underground facilities. A Defense Acquisition Program Administration representative noted, “The development of the Cheonryong will drive advancements in domestic air-guided weapons and boost the export competitiveness of fighter jets like the KF-21 and FA-50.”
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