Hypersonic missiles are forcing a rethink of global air defense, and Israel is urging South Korea to join the next phase of technological development.
Yuval Baseski, Vice President of Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, told the South Korean outlet Maeil Business Newspaper that both North Korea and Iran are investing heavily in hypersonic missile programs.
“Hypersonic missiles open a new era in air defense,” Baseski said in the interview. “North Korea and Iran are devoting considerable resources to developing these systems.”
Baseski will visit South Korea in September to attend the World Knowledge Forum, where he is expected to continue discussions on joint cooperation.
Hypersonic weapons, capable of flying within the atmosphere at speeds above Mach 5 while maneuvering horizontally and vertically, pose a challenge to existing defenses. Conventional ballistic missiles travel on a predictable path, while most cruise missiles fly at subsonic speeds. Hypersonic glide vehicles, however, maintain altitude and maneuver at high speed, making interception far more difficult.
North Korea announced in January that it had successfully tested a new hypersonic missile. According to state media, the weapon reached an altitude of about 100 kilometers before descending to roughly 42.5 kilometers and gliding toward a target in the East Sea. Iran has also entered the field, unveiling its Fattah-1 missile in 2023.
In the interview, Baseski warned that traditional approaches to missile defense will not be effective.
“Every air defense system today is based on flying faster than the target,” he said. “But this principle does not apply to hypersonic missiles. To intercept an object moving at Mach 10, one would need a defense moving at Mach 30, which is impossible in the atmosphere due to friction.”
He compared the challenge to basketball. “One interceptor missile tracking one hypersonic missile is like defending LeBron James with a single player,” he said. “You may keep chasing him, but you won’t stop him from scoring.”
Instead, he suggested a “zone defense” model, where multiple interceptors cover defined areas and engage threats as they enter.
Rafael is developing the Sky Sonic interceptor system to counter this emerging threat. Baseski proposed South Korean involvement in the project, citing the country’s production capabilities and unique expertise.
“South Korea’s large-scale manufacturing ability is among the best in the world,” he said. “Its knowledge of mountainous terrain, which Israel rarely has, will also be valuable for system development.”
The commercial potential of such a system is also substantial. Baseski noted that no ready-made solution currently exists to address hypersonic missile threats, calling it “a unique opportunity to take a leading position in the global market.” He added, “If an effective system is developed first, it will yield considerable strategic and economic results.”
Market research firm Fortune Business Insights estimates the global air defense market at $95.7 billion this year, with demand expected to grow as hypersonic threats expand.
Rafael has built its reputation on combat-proven systems. Its multi-layered defenses, including Iron Dome, have achieved interception rates above 90 percent. The brand recognition is such that President Donald Trump, in a January executive order, called for developing an “Iron Dome for America” to protect U.S. territory.
Baseski said Korea’s track record of fast, reliable defense exports also makes it a strong candidate for partnership. South Korean firms have delivered K9 self-propelled howitzers and FA-50 light combat aircraft to Poland faster than competing suppliers, earning praise from Warsaw.