South Korea has started developing an advanced long-range surface-to-air missile defense system to better counter North Korean threats.

Dubbed L-SAM-II, the system’s expanded capabilities are expected to provide improved early interception opportunities against incoming missiles, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) on Tuesday.

DAPA stated in a press release that it expects the system to cost 567.7 billion won ($426 million) to develop, with the project set to be completed by 2028 in collaboration with 19 domestic defense contractors.

The launch of the new military project comes just a month after South Korean announcedthat it completed development