Umkhonto ( missile ) Umkhonto ( ) is a South African , vertical launch ( VLS ) surface - to - air missile ( SAM ) manufactured by Denel Dynamics ( formerly known as Kentron ) available in infrared homing ( Umkhonto - IR ) and radar homing version ( Umkhonto - R ) . Variants . Umkhonto - IR Block1 . Designed for all - round defence against simultaneous air attacks from multiple targets , the Umkhonto - IR missile is the first vertically launched infrared - homing surface - to - air missile , also the first IR - homing missile to use lock - on - after - launch . Upon launch , the missile flies to a lock - on point , following on - board inertial navigation . The missile then activates its two - colour IR - seeker ( variant of U - Darter AAM ' s seeker ) and locks on . Target updates are received via data link , enabling the missile to counter evasive manoeuvres by the target . The Umkhonto has a set of tail - mounted , aerodynamic control fins , as well as thrust vectoring vanes in the motor nozzle ( similar to Denel ' s A - Darter AAM ) , allowing for " 40 g " manoeuvring . The system ' s 3 - D fire - control radar enables simultaneous engagement of eight targets for the naval version . The missile uses a low - smoke propellant to avoid detection . In July 2005 it was successfully tested in various scenarios against Denel - made Skua drones . Extended range versions ( Umkhonto - ER ) are in development . They will feature a rocket booster and IR or Radar seekers . Umkhonto - IR Block2 . This variant of the IR Umkhonto was recently developed for the Finnish Navy . It has a more advanced seeker - head algorithms for differentiating between the target and background clutter often found in and around the Baltic archipelago . Because of the improvement in the seeker head , the newer version has a more efficient flight path allowing for an increase in range of 3 km ; a new maximum range of 15 km . It ' s current flight ceiling is 10 kilometers ( 31 , 000 feet ) . Denel Dynamics has stated its intention to end production of the Mk1 and continue with Mk2 version of the missile , as a part of the missile ' s overall growth path . Umkhonto - ER . The Extended Range variant of the IR Umkhonto and was test fired in October 2013 . During the demonstration three missiles successfully destroyed low - cost aerial target systems ( LOCATS – provided by the South African Army ) , two at 15 km range and one at 20 km . The targets were launched from the Denel Overberg Test Range and flew out to sea before turning inshore on an elliptical track . The successful ground - based firing tests proved that the range of the Umkhonto has now been extended to 20 km while the physical dimensions of the missile remain unchanged . The test was also part of the development of a mobile ground - based system for the South African Army . Umkhonto - R . The radar - homing version ' s range is extended to and has a higher operational ceiling . It is also heavier and longer than the Umkhonto - IR version . Denel Dynamics is currently in negotiations with the Brazilian Navy for joint development of the missile . Other developments . Denel Dynamics is developing a longer range Umkhonto variant with a range exceeding 20 km with a larger motor that extends range to 30 km , and also has designed a command - to - line - of - sight version that could prove attractive in the region as well as a radar - guided version to increase range to 80 km . Users . Potential sales . In 2004 Brazil expressed an interest in acquiring the missile system for its aircraft carrier São Paulo . The Swedish government has expressed interest in the Umkhonto - IR system for five Visby class corvette s for at total cost of about 1 bn SEK . Due to budgetary constraints a decision was taken in 2008 to delete the SAM requirement . Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering of South Korea proposed this system for their corvette offer for the Bangladesh Navy ' s Corvette tender in 2011 . The offer is under consideration . The Indonesian government are interested in the Umkhonto - IR system for the SIGMA class Corvette . The Algerian Navy ordered two Meko A - 200 frigates from Germany , which are to be equipped with Umkhonto missiles . These ships are the same type as the South African Navy ' s Valour class frigate s .