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UAE seeks faster delivery of Korean air defense system after reported 96% hit rate
A Cheongung-II surface-to-air missile is launched toward a simulated target during a drill in the West Sea area, Nov. 6, 2024. Courtesy of Joint Chiefs of Staff
By Park Ung
Strong combat performance of Cheongung-II missile may boost export prospects
The United Arab Emirates has asked Korea to accelerate deliveries of Cheongung-II surface-to-air missile batteries to help intercept incoming attacks, officials familiar with the matter said. The request comes as Iranian forces have launched retaliatory strikes across the Middle East following continued attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel.
The system, sold to the UAE in recent years as part of Seoul’s expanding defense exports, has been integrated into the country’s broader air defense network.
Defense industry sources say Cheongung-II’s strong performance in combat conditions could strengthen its export prospects in the Middle East and beyond, especially if the conflict is prolonged and involved countries move to replenish depleted air defense stockpiles.
U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran have continued since Saturday, when Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the initial barrage. Tehran responded with missile and drone attacks on U.S. bases in Middle Eastern countries, damaging civilian facilities, including airports and hotels.
Korean media, citing military officials, reported that the UAE has requested Cheongung-II batteries to be delivered earlier than scheduled under the contract, but Korea said speeding up the timeline would be difficult because of existing commitments.
The UAE has reportedly asked that interceptor missiles be supplied first if early delivery of the batteries proves impossible, a request the Korean government is reviewing. In 2022, the UAE signed a $3.5 billion deal to buy 10 Cheongung-II batteries from Korean defense firms, and two have since been deployed. In 2024, Saudi Arabia and Iraq each signed deals to acquire the air defense system, worth $3.2 billion and $2.8 billion, respectively.
The Ministry of National Defense declined to corroborate the facts when queried by The Korea Times, offering no official stance on the matter.
On Friday, presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik said requests for cooperation related to air defense weapons have come from several countries, including the UAE, but said discussing specific details would not be appropriate.
The Cheongung-II system deployed in the UAE recorded a 96 percent interception success rate against Iran’s attacks, said Rep. Yu Yong-weon of the main opposition People Power Party, a member of the National Assembly’s National Defense Committee, on Thursday.
“We will spare no effort at the National Assembly level to provide full legislative and policy support so that Cheongung-II can continue securing large-scale exports to major Middle Eastern countries and the global defense market,” Yu said.
Developed as a medium-range surface-to-air system to counter ballistic missiles and aircraft, a Cheongung-II battery includes four launchers, radar and a fire control center.
The interceptor weighs about 400 kilograms and uses a hit-to-kill method, destroying targets through direct impact. It can intercept ballistic missiles at altitudes above 15 kilometers and at a range of about 20 kilometers. Against aircraft, it has a range of about 50 kilometers and an interception altitude of up to 20 kilometers.
An industry source told The Korea Times the Cheongung-II’s high interception rate, demonstrated in real combat conditions, could strengthen demand for the system if the Iran conflict continues.
“Demand for related weapons is rising even in the United States,” the source said.