South Korea's domestically developed Cheongung-II (M-SAM) air defense system has intercepted multiple Iranian missiles in the United Arab Emirates, marking the first combat deployment of a Korean-exported weapons system.
According to sources familiar with the matter on Thursday, the UAE has activated its deployed air defense interception systems to counter Iranian missile strikes that began on April 28. The Cheongung-II serves as a core asset in the UAE's interception network. South Korean military authorities are also taking note that the system has been operationally engaged.
UAE sources indicate the Cheongung-II has been deployed at Al Dhafra Air Base in southern Abu Dhabi since last year. Two batteries are currently stationed there.
UAE military authorities have not disclosed how many Iranian missiles were intercepted by the Cheongung-II. However, given the UAE Defense Ministry's statement that it "successfully blocked hostile threats from Iran," the system appears to have demonstrated in combat the over 90% interception rate achieved during domestic test launches.
The UAE government signed a $3.5 billion contract in 2022 with South Korea's LIG Nex1, Hanwha Systems, and Hanwha Aerospace to acquire the Cheongung-II system.
U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Caine confirmed at a press conference on Wednesday that "air defense batteries from Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia also participated in combat," adding that "years of training, trust, and hard-won integration paid off." This marks official U.S. confirmation that the UAE's air defense network, equipped with the Cheongung-II, was activated.
The Cheongung is a medium-range surface-to-air guided missile system developed with indigenous Korean technology. It comprises Block-I for defending against enemy aircraft and Block-II, which incorporates engagement control technology for ballistic missile interception.
The Cheongung-II acquired by the UAE can intercept ballistic missiles at altitudes of approximately 15-20 kilometers using a hit-to-kill method. The system can also engage multiple targets simultaneously by firing interceptor missiles in rapid succession across a 360-degree radius.