South Korea’s indigenous air defense system, the Cheongung-II, has made its combat debut in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to reports.
“It is believed that Cheongung-II … has achieved a phenomenal combat striking precision rate of 96% against Iran’s large-scale airstrikes,” said Yu Yong-weon, a member of the National Assembly’s national defense committee.
“In the recent large-scale complex attack situation involving numerous drones and irregular-maneuver ballistic missiles, it is hard to find a case where the overall interception rate exceeded 90%,” Yu said.
Cheongung-II is a critical component of South Korea’s air defense shield. It is armed with multifunction radar, tracking technology, and seekers for simultaneous multi-target engagement.
In a 2022 press release, South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) revealed that “the UAE is the first foreign nation to operate the Cheongung II.” It noted that the deal was the consequence of the “bilateral defense cooperation based on mutual trust” between the countries.
The Cheongung (KM-SAM) system was jointly developed by South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD) with technical support from Russia’s Almaz-Antey (formerly OKB Almaz) and Fakel, in collaboration with South Korean firms including LIG Nex1 (prime contractor for the missile), Hanwha Systems (formerly Samsung Thales), and Hanwha Aerospace (formerly Doosan DST).
The program drew on technology from the Russian 9M96 missile family (used in S-350E and S-400 systems), but evolved into a distinctly South Korean platform through extensive R&D and integration.
Extensive work by South Korea transformed it into a fully indigenous AD system, with no reliance on Russian-made components in production or export variants. This high degree of self-sufficiency permits South Korea independent export rights, allowing unrestricted sales even amid sanctions on Russia.
Each missile system includes a multipurpose radar, a fire control system, a launch system, and a group of eight missiles. The complex’s full battery consists of six 8-cell transporter-erector-launcher (TEL) launchers and a PESA X-band multifunctional phased-array 3D radar. The latter is based on the Russian S-400 Triumf.
The upgraded Cheongung-II can intercept aerial threats—such as aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles—at ranges up to 50 kilometers.
With a top speed of Mach 4.5, the missile can quickly change course and perform deceptive maneuvers to evade interception systems. Moreover, every missile is equipped with devices that enable it to continue performing its mission despite adversaries’ attempts to interfere with its electromagnetic signals.
Cheongung’s launch system is vertically oriented, and post-launch, the rocket is controlled by the radar. The radar system has the ability to track aircraft and identify them on the principle of “friend or foe.”
Meanwhile, South Korea said it could thwart threats from North Korea even if Washington relocated some of its military assets to the Middle East amid Iran war.
Washington, Seoul’s key security ally, stations about 28,500 troops and a range of air and missile defence systems in the South to help deter aggression from the nuclear‑armed North.
The Washington Post reported this week that the United States was moving parts of its Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system from South Korea to the Middle East, citing unnamed officials.
“Regardless of whether certain USFK assets are deployed overseas, there is no issue whatsoever with our deterrence posture against North Korea, given the level of our military capabilities,” the defence ministry said in a statement to AFP on Wednesday, referring to the United States Forces Korea command.
It declined to confirm the report.
The THAAD missile defence system is designed to intercept short, medium, and intermediate‑range ballistic missiles using hit‑to‑kill technology.
It was installed in South Korea in 2017, a move that sparked strong protests from China.
President Lee Jae Myung has said his government is unhappy with the reported asset move but acknowledged there was little it could do about it.
“The government is opposing the USFK’s withdrawal of some air defence weapons for its own military needs,” he said on Tuesday.
“But the stark reality is that we are unable to fully implement our opinions.”
A photo taken by Yonhap news agency last week and released on Tuesday appeared to show parts of the THAAD battery being dismantled in Seongju County, about 220 kilometres (136 miles) south of Seoul.
A presidential official told AFP it was “inappropriate” to comment on questions regarding any military asset redeployment and cautioned against media speculation.
“Speculative reports on militarily sensitive matters are undesirable in light of our security interests… and our relations with key Middle Eastern countries,” he said.
With Agence France-Presse (AFP) Inputs
