Gulf states are reaching out to South Korean defense contractors to accelerate delivery of air defense systems as renewed Middle East tensions expose gaps in their missile defense capabilities.
Saudi Arabia has approached Hanwha Aerospace (012450.KS) and LIG Nex1 (079550.KS) to explore whether delivery schedules for the Cheongung-II medium-range surface-to-air missile system (M-SAM) can be moved up, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday. The kingdom has also contacted Japan about securing additional Patriot missiles.
The United Arab Emirates has similarly requested additional interceptor missiles from Korean companies, according to the report.
The outreach comes as six weeks of airstrikes in the region have rapidly depleted interceptor missile stockpiles, creating urgent demand for alternative weapons that can be delivered quickly. Tensions have escalated further following the collapse of ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran, with President Donald Trump raising the possibility of a counter-blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Israeli media have reported that Israeli forces are preparing for another potential strike on Iran.
The Cheongung-II is a medium-range air defense system capable of intercepting drones, ballistic missiles, and aircraft. The system was reportedly deployed operationally during recent Iranian attacks, providing real-world validation of its capabilities.
Gulf states are considering Korean weapons alongside traditional high-cost American systems due to their combat-proven performance and competitive pricing, analysts say.
The shift reflects a broader transformation in air defense strategy beyond simple weapon replacement. The proliferation of low-cost weapons such as Iran's Shahed drones has exposed limitations in defense systems that rely solely on expensive interceptors.
Gulf nations are now building "multi-layered air defense networks" that combine interceptor missiles with attack drones, electronic warfare equipment, and close-in weapon systems. They are exploring options including Ukrainian interceptor drones, low-cost missiles from British startups, and conventional anti-aircraft guns.
Saudi Arabia has signed a defense cooperation agreement with Ukraine to share weapons production and operational experience. Qatar has expanded cooperation by visiting Ukrainian interceptor drone training facilities, and the UAE is reportedly discussing similar arrangements.
However, Ukraine's ability to significantly expand exports in the short term may be limited given the surge in its own demand due to the war with Russia.
The Journal described the trend as evidence of "the limits of the U.S. defense industry's supply capacity." Global demand has surged since the Ukraine war began, but the United States has been unable to expand production capacity sufficiently, pushing some demand toward Korea and other countries.
