An explanation on the lack of Air-Launched and Land-Based C-Stars
I've noticed a few comments wondering or questioning why there isn't any land-based and/or air-launched C-Star Missile so I'm gonna address it here based on a day of research from existing sources that I already have.
The Air-Launched C-Stars
While proposals have been made since the early 2000's to develop an Air-Launched C-Star with even the ROKN testing a C-Star on its P-3 Orions, the interests of the ROKN simply wasn't there, this is the same sentiments shared by the ROKAF. Both the ROKN and ROKAF have access to the AGM-84 Harpoon Block II/II+ and AGM-84H/K SLAM-ER Missiles which both the ROKAF and ROKN believes is sufficient enough to neutralize KPAN (North Korean Navy) vessels; at the same time also gives the Koreans the moment to save its budget from developing an Air-Launched C-Star as existing missiles can already fill the role.
Fast forward to the 2020's, with the KPAN slowly developing its conventional force and the PLAN rapidly on the rise, the case of developing an Air Launched Anti-Ship Missile came into fruition again; the ADD (South Korean Defense R&D body) has unveiled the development of the Supersonic Air-to-Ship-II Guided Missile with a diameter of 400mm that is planned to be fitted to the KF-21 though the development and confirmed mass production remains uncertain as South Korean lawmakers are questioning the feasability of developing such a missile.
Nevertheless, going back to the C-Star, with the Koreans focusing on the development of the Supersonic Air-to-Ship-II Guided Missile, it is highly likely that the Koreans has abandoned any form of development of an Air-Launched C-Star.
The Land-Based C-Stars
The reasons for the lack of a Coastal Haesong platform is likely the same as in the second paragraph, the ROKN utilizes Harpoons for Coastal Defense purposes with the 811th deployed at the East Sea and the 821st and 822nd deployed at the highly volatile West Sea all equipped with Land-based Harpoons; same as what I said earlier, its possible the ROKN had no use for a Land-Based C-Star Coastal Battery with the Harpoons already being available to fill in the role. In addition to the lack of major KPAN logistics vessels to do large amphibious landings with smaller major KPAN landings done by hovercrafts could easily be countered by the ROKMC's inexpensive Bigung Coastal Guided Rockets.
Fast forward again, along with the Air-to-Ship-II Guided Missile, ADD also announced the development of the Korean Supersonic Anti-Ship Missile which is likely to replace the C-Star missile in the future with documents stating that it may also be used for land-based purposes which likely means the Harpoon TEL's will be replaced.
For the PN
With the absence of existing C-Star in both Air-Launched and Land-Based configuration, the PN has the option to propose or request to LIGNex1 to develop/produce a C-Star missile on both respective roles but that would likely take time and cost which the PN cannot afford.
It would be in the best interest for the PN to purchase existing anti-ship missiles that have both Air-Launched and Land-Based configurations such as with the Japanese Type 12 Missile or Type 90 Missile and the American-Norwegian NSM Missile.
Sources:
- https://m.blog.naver.com/leon1109/223229938962
- https://m.nownews.seoul.co.kr//news/newsView.php?id=20210917601012
- https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/mobile/view/view.do?ncd=3285979