How SM벡셀’s 230mm Lithium Ampule Batteries Enhance K-239 Cheonmu’s Firepower and Precision

SM Vexel, a key player in the K-defense industry, has delivered lithium ampoule batteries for 230mm unguided missiles used in the Cheonmu (K-239) Multiple Launch Rocket System to Korea Defense Industry (KDI), the company announced on the 10th.

The Cheonmu system is a cornerstone of South Korea’s Three-Axis Defense Strategy, designed for preemptive strikes, rapid response, and retaliation. Its impressive firepower, range, and precision make it a formidable asset capable of neutralizing enemy threats, including long-range artillery.

In a recent development, the company secured a $922 million (approximately 1 trillion 300 billion KRW) contract on the 2nd from Norway’s Defense Material Agency (NDMA) for their next-generation long-range precision fire system. This win came against stiff competition from industry giants like Lockheed Martin’s HIMARS and KNDS’s EURO-PULS.

The lithium ampoule batteries integrated into Cheonmu’s unguided missiles are ultra-compact primary cells measuring just 5mm. These batteries are crucial for activating self-destruct mechanisms in the event of a misfire, significantly enhancing the safety and operational effectiveness of South Korean military hardware.

This initial project has not only contributed to Cheonmu’s reliable performance but also reaffirmed SM Vexel’s battery division’s technological prowess and supply capabilities in the defense sector. As Cheonmu’s strategic importance grows, plans for a second phase of 230mm unguided missile production are underway, with SM Vexel in talks with KDI for follow-up contracts.

“Successfully delivering the first batch of lithium ampoule batteries has strengthened our foothold in the defense industry,” said Choi Se-hwan, CEO of SM Vexel’s battery division. “We aim to leverage this success in the upcoming second phase, focusing on our supply capacity and quality to further boost the global competitiveness of K-defense.”