In the context of the current military escalation in the Middle East, South Korea has reportedly decided to accelerate the shipment of interceptor missiles intended for the M-SAM II air defense systems deployed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). According to information released by open sources, around 30 interceptors would be transported by C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft of the UAE Air Force, in an operation that would begin immediately in order to reinforce the Gulf country’s anti-missile capabilities.
According to the reports available so far, the interceptors would come in part from the reserves of the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF), while other deliveries would correspond to units included in contracts already signed with the United Arab Emirates, but that would be delivered ahead of the originally scheduled timeline.
The shipment of missiles would be carried out in stages and would continue at least until March 9, in an attempt to quickly reinforce Emirati air defense. Sources told The Korea Herald that “The UAE’s request for the early delivery of the Cheongung-II batteries and interceptor missiles was made in recent days.”
Currently, the United Arab Emirates has two operational batteries of the M-SAM II system, acquired from South Korea as part of an ambitious program to modernize its air defense architecture. These batteries are part of a broader contract that contemplated up to ten complete systems, intended to protect critical infrastructure and urban centers against what could be threats such as ballistic missiles. In that context, it has been mentioned that the country needs 32 interceptor missiles to fully arm a single battery.
A key system for the air defense of the Emirates
The M-SAM II system, also known as Cheongung II, is a medium-range air defense and anti-missile system developed by South Korea with the participation of companies such as LIG Nex1, Hanwha Systems, and Hanwha Aerospace, with technological support coming from the Russian S-350 program.
Designed to intercept ballistic missiles in their terminal phase, the M-SAM II can reach targets at altitudes above 40 kilometers and at distances of approximately 40 to 50 kilometers, using interceptors guided by active radar. The system is integrated within a multi-layered defense architecture together with other anti-air assets, allowing threats to be detected, tracked, and intercepted in a coordinated manner.
In addition to the launcher and the interceptors, each battery includes a multifunction active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and a fire control center, elements that allow multiple targets to be detected simultaneously and interceptions to be coordinated in real time.
The multi-billion-dollar contract signed in 2022
The acquisition of these systems by the United Arab Emirates was officially announced in January 2022, when both parties signed an agreement valued at approximately USD 3.5 billion, one of the largest arms export contracts in the history of the South Korean defense industry.
The agreement contemplated the delivery of multiple batteries of the Cheongung II system together with interceptor missiles and associated logistical support. At the time, the contract was presented as a key step to strengthen the Gulf country’s missile defense, especially against threats coming from regional actors capable of employing ballistic missiles and attack drones. Since then, South Korea has progressively advanced in the production and delivery of the systems.
Finally, it should not be overlooked that the shipment, perhaps accelerated, would be reflecting concern for the security of the United States’ allies in the Gulf, especially after recent attacks with ballistic missiles and drones that have impacted military installations and missile defense radars in the region.
You may also like: The U.S. could relocate Patriot air-defense missile batteries deployed in South Korea to the Middle East
