Ure (missile)

Ure
KTSSM
A CTM-290 tactical missile of Ure Block 2, modified for the transporter erector launcher (TEL) platform
TypeSurface-to-surface missile
Tactical ballistic missile
Place of originSouth Korea
Service history
In service2025–present[1]
Used byRepublic of Korea Armed Forces
Production history
DesignerAgency for Defense Development
Hanwha Group
DesignedBlock 1: 2014–2019
Block 2: 2023–2027 (in development)[1][2]
ManufacturerHanwha Aerospace
Unit cost₩800 million[3]
Produced2020–present[3][4]
No. built200 (2020–2025)[3]
Specifications
Mass1.5 metric tons (3,300 lb)[5]
Length4 meters (13 ft 1 in)[1]
Diameter600 millimeters (24 in)[1]
WarheadBlock 1: thermobaric[6]
Block 2: unitary high-explosive, or thermobaric[6]
Warhead weightBlock 1: 500 kilograms (1,100 lb)[5]
PropellantComposite propellant[7]
Operational
range
Block 1: 180 km (110 mi)[1]
Block 2: 290 km (180 mi)[7]
Guidance
system
GPS, INS[5][7]
Accuracy2 meters CEP (Block 1)[8]
9 meters CEP (Block 2 CTM-290)[7]
Launch
platform
Block 2: transporter erector launcher (TEL)[1]

The Ure (Hangul: 우레; English: Thunder), or often called KTSSM (Korean Tactical Surface-to-Surface Missile; Korean: 한국형 전술 지대지 유도탄; Hanja: 韓國型戰術地對地誘導彈; RR: Hangukhyeong Jeonsul Jidaeji Yudotan) is a short-range tactical surface-to-surface missile (SSM) developed through the Lightning Project (Korean: 번개사업; RR: Beongae Saeop) that began as a countermeasure against North Korea's conventional artillery raised in the wake of the Bombardment of Yeonpyong Island.[3]

The Block 1 for fixed launcher platform, which was developed in 2019, was jointly developed with Hanwha Group under the leadership of Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and is currently developing an improved Block 2 version to operate on various transporter erector launcher (TEL) platforms.[2]

Block 1 has been deployed to the Republic of Korea Armed Forces since February 2025.[1]

Design and development

The Ure (KTSSM) was developed with the intention of quickly neutralizing North Korean long-range artillery. Dubbed the "artillery killer," Hanwha Corporation designed the missile in partnership with the Agency for Defense Development (ADD). Four missiles can be launched almost simultaneously from a fixed launch pad and they can travel 180 kilometers (110 mi);[1] the launcher and missiles as a set have a combined cost of $1.9 million. They are GPS-guided to hit targets within two meters and have a shaped thermal warhead that can penetrate bunkers and hardened, dug-in targets several meters underground or 1.5 meters (4.9 ft) of concrete.[8] While it resembles the American MGM-140 ATACMS missile, the KTSSM is cheaper and more accurate with a shorter range, though still adequate to perform the counterbattery role. There are two versions of the missile: KTSSM-1 for attacking M-1978 Koksan 170 mm howitzers and M1985/M1991 240 mm unguided multiple rocket launchers (MRLs); and KTSSM-2, a self-propelled system tasked with engaging KN-09 300 mm MRLs and KN-02 short-range ballistic missiles, having a Block I version employing a thermal penetrating warhead and a Block II version with a unitary high-explosive warhead.[9][10][8]

Development lasted from 2014-2017 at a cost of USD$418 million, and it was successfully test-launched in October 2017. In March 2018, the South Korean Army announced it would create a new artillery brigade composed of KTSSM-2 and K239 Chunmoo multiple launch rocket systems with the aim of destroying North Korea’s hardened long-range artillery sites near the Korean Demilitarized Zone, to be inaugurated in October of that year. Fielding was planned for 2019, but initially postponed to 2023 because the United States had yet to approve the purchase of important components.[10][8] In 2019, it was reported that the KTSSM would be deployed in 2021.[11] In November 2020, Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced mass production would begin for the missile to enter service in 2022, with more than 200 units planned to be made by 2025.[12]

Improvements

Block 2

Main article: K239 Chunmoo

On 27 April 2022, South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced a plan to develop a vehicle-mounted tactical surface-to-surface guided weapon (KTSSM-2). The purpose of this development project is to improve the existing KTSSM-1 to increase the range from 180 kilometers (110 mi) to 290 kilometers (180 mi) and integrate tactical ballistic missile systems into various types of Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL) such as the K239 Chunmoo.

On 21 December 2022, the Agency for Defense Development conducted a public test of the Block 2 missile under development after inviting military officials from each country at the Anheung Proving Ground. The missile was mounted on the K239 Chunmoo vehicle and hit a target 200 kilometers (120 mi) away after it was launched.[13]

On 13 March 2023, the 150th Defense Project Promotion Committee deliberated and approved the basic strategy and system development plan for developing a vehicle-mounted Tactical Surface-to-Surface Missile, and the revised plan included the agenda of completing the development of KTSSM-2 by 2032, two years earlier than the previous plan.[2]

On 11 May 2023, the South Korean Defense Agency for Technology and Quality (DTaQ) announced that it had successfully passed the quality certification launch test of Block I produced through the mass production process.[14]

On 24 April 2024, ADD conducted a test launch of CTM290 integrated into the Homar-K system in the presence of Poland's Deputy Defense Minister Paweł Bejda and government officials from each country. The missile that was launched successfully hit the target after flying for more than 200 seconds.[15]

Export

Poland

In October 2022, an agreement was signed to deliver 288 K239 Chunmoo K-MLRS to the Polish Land Forces. The first stage of the program has a supply of ammunition, including KTSSM-II (CTM-290) TBMs, which is planned to ultimately be produced by Poland itself.[16]

Saudi Arabia

In August 2025, Hanwha Aerospace signed a contract worth 400 billion won ($286.9 million) to supply Saudi Arabia with hundreds of Block 2 CTM-290 tactical ballistic missiles developed for the K239 Chunmoo system.[17]

Operators

A map of operators of the Ure or its variants

Current operators

South Korea
  • Republic of Korea Armed Forces – Hundreds of missiles have been produced since December 2020 and have been deployed to the ROK Armed Forces since February 2025.[1]

Future operators

Estonia
Poland
  • Polish Land Forces – Poland decided to purchase CTM-290 together as part of the contract to purchase K239 Chunmoo MLRS from South Korea.
Saudi Arabia
  • Saudi Arabian Army – In August 2025, Saudi Arabia signed a contract with Hanwha to purchase hundreds of CTM-290 tactical ballistic missiles.[17]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Yoon Sang-ho (18 February 2025). "합참 "北 장사정포 킬러 KTSSM 실전 배치"". The Dong-A Ilbo. Archived from the original on 4 October 2025. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  2. ^ a b c "제150회 방위사업추진위원회 결과". Defense Acquisition Program Administration. 14 March 2023. Archived from the original on 14 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d Park Soo-chan (28 November 2020). ""합성사진 아냐?"… '홀인원' 기록한 국산 벙커버스터 배치된다 [박수찬의 軍]". Segye Ilbo. Archived from the original on 15 October 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  4. ^ "제131회 방위사업추진위원회 결과". Defense Acquisition Program Administration. 25 November 2020. Retrieved 1 October 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  5. ^ a b c Defense Media Agency (22 February 2025). "우리 기술로 개발한 KTSSM '우레' 드디어 작전 배치 [국방홍보원]". KFN News. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
  6. ^ a b Kim Gwan-yong (4 February 2018). "[김관용의 軍界一學]육군 게임체인저 'KTSSM', 北 장사정포 정밀타격". Edaily. Retrieved 15 October 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  7. ^ a b c d "CHUNMOO GUIDED ROCKET & MISSILES". Korea Defense Industry Association. 2020. Archived from the original on 14 August 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  8. ^ a b c d Sebastien Roblin (1 April 2018). "South Korea Is Deploying Hyper-Precise Missiles to Protect Seoul from North Korea". The National Interest. Archived from the original on 6 October 2025. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
  9. ^ South Korea tests new missile capable of striking Scuds. UPI.com. 25 October 2017.
  10. ^ a b South Korea to deploy ‘artillery killer’ to destroy North Korean bunkers. Defense News. 19 March 2018.
  11. ^ Seoul describes new surface-to-surface missile. Korea JoongAng Daily. 13 August 2019.
  12. ^ S. Korea to mass produce advanced tactical ground-based missiles by 2025. Yonhap News Agency. 25 November 2020.
  13. ^ Shin Gyu-jin (22 December 2022). "[단독]사거리 80km '천무' 발사대로 200km 미사일 발사 성공". The Dong-a Ilbo. Archived from the original on 23 December 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  14. ^ "국방기술품질원, 전술지대지유도무기(KTSSM) 품질인증사격시험 성공". Defense Acquisition Program Administration. 11 May 2023. Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  15. ^ "[단독] 폴란드 수출형 천무, 300km급 미사일 실사격 영상". Defense Media Agency. 25 April 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  16. ^ Bartosz Głowacki (5 September 2025). "Poland buying Korean made MLRS, continuing Seoul spending spree". Breaking Defense. Archived from the original on 5 October 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  17. ^ a b Lee Hyeon-ho (5 September 2025). "[단독] 한화에어로, 사우디에 천무 전술유도탄 CTM-290 '수백발' 수출". The Seoul Economic Daily. Archived from the original on 4 October 2025. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  18. ^ "Estonia to Purchase at Least Six South Korean–Made Chunmoo Multiple Rocket Launchers". Estonian Centre for Defence Investments. 12 December 2025. Retrieved 12 December 2025.

Chapter 4: The Korean Peninsula: North Korea’s Growing Nuclear and Missile Threat and South Korea’s Anguish Archived 2023-03-04 at the Wayback Machine

allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ure_(missile)