M-SAM Cheongung II: South Korea’s £3.5 Billion UAE Air Defense Deal
Cheongung II (M-SAM Block II) is a medium-range air and ballistic defense system with ~40 km range, designed by LIG Nex1 and integrated by Hanwha. The UAE signed a £3.5 billion contract for 4 batteries in January 2024 — the largest single-item South Korean defense export deal.
Filling the Medium-Range Gap
Cheongung II fills the critical band between SHORAD (4–15 km) and long-range (100+ km) systems. KPN-35 AESA radar provides ~40 km engagement against TBMs, aircraft, cruise missiles, and drones.
UAE: A Historic Milestone
The January 2024 £3.5 billion contract cements South Korea’s position as a top-tier global defense exporter. Technology transfer and offset agreements were critical components of the deal.
Teknik Özellikler
| Özellik | Değer |
|---|---|
| Type | Medium-range SAM + TBM defense |
| Range | ~40 km |
| Altitude | ~15 km |
| Speed | Mach 4+ |
| Radar | KPN-35 AESA |
| Platform | Mobile truck-mounted |
| TBM Engagement | Yes |
| Manufacturers | LIG Nex1 + Hanwha Aerospace |
Kullanıcı Ülkeler
| Ülke | Detay |
|---|---|
| South Korea | 30+ batteries, serial delivery |
| UAE | 4 batteries, Jan 2024, £3.5 billion |
Türk Muadili
Turkey’s ROKETSAN HİSAR-O+ covers up to ~15 km. SİPER targets 100+ km, the layer above Cheongung II. The 15–40 km band is a partially open gap in Turkey’s air defense architecture.
