UAE adopts Korean M-SAM-II air defence system

The United Arab Emirates demonstrated the South Korean Cheongung Block-II medium-range air defence missile system purchased from South Korea. This is the first public appearance of the system in the Middle East.

Here's What We Know

The launcher of the M-SAM-II medium-range surface-to-air missile system was first shown in the UAE during the visit of Crown Prince of Dubai and Defence Minister Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum to Al Dafra Air Base.

It is reported that in November 2021, the Ministry of Defence of the Emirates announced its intention to purchase South Korean air defence systems worth $3.5 billion. Later it became known that the order was for an improved version, the Cheongung Block-II. This system competed with the Israeli Barak-8 in the tender.

The export version of M-SAM-II is equipped with a multifunctional active-phased array (AESA) radar and is designed to intercept both aircraft and ballistic missiles at an altitude of up to 20 km.

The system is an upgraded version of the Cheongung I. Its development began in 2012, and in 2017, following successful tests, the SAM was declared suitable for combat use. The first delivery to the South Korean army took place in 2022.

According to the LIG Nex1 company, the new version of the missile has a higher speed and range, and targets are hit by a direct hit. During the tests, the system showed one hundred per cent accuracy.

Source: Facebook