[Yang Nak-gyu's Defense Club] How Feasible Is UAE Defense Export?

K-9 Self-Propelled Howitzer Deployed at Forward Unit

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu Reporter] On the 21st, Lim Jong-seok, former Chief of Staff to the President, who visited the UAE as a special presidential envoy, revealed on Facebook that "the UAE has invited President Moon Jae-in as the guest of honor for the completion ceremony of Barakah Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 (to be held next month)," raising expectations for defense exports.

A government official said on the 29th, "Since this year marks the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations with the UAE, there is hope for defense exports, but there are many variables as the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is rapidly spreading worldwide."

Currently, due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19, several countries including the UAE, Kuwait, and Iraq have successively suspended flights and maritime operations to Iran. In this atmosphere, the UAE could sufficiently restrict the entry of Korean nationals. The number of countries restricting entry of foreigners from Korea due to the rapid spread of COVID-19 has already increased to 50. This means that relations with the UAE may not progress due to COVID-19.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as of 6 a.m. on the 28th, the number of countries imposing entry bans or strengthening entry procedures for travelers from Korea increased by five from 11:30 p.m. the previous day to 50 countries. Twenty-five countries have implemented full or partial entry bans, and another 25 countries have strengthened entry procedures. Based on the 193 UN member states, more than a quarter of the world’s countries are not allowing travelers from Korea to enter freely.

Initially, the defense industry hoped that this year, marking the 40th anniversary with the UAE, various export policies would be realized, accelerating the export front of the domestic defense industry. Since the order amount for maintenance work at the UAE Barakah Nuclear Power Plant was less than expected, it was anticipated that economic cooperation could be expanded into semiconductor and energy sectors by leading with defense exports, thereby boosting exports.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report "Trends in International Arms Transfers, 2018," published last year, the UAE accounted for 3.7% of global arms imports from 2014 to 2018, ranking within the top 10 worldwide. This reflects the high expectations the domestic defense industry places on the UAE.

Last year, domestic companies showcased new weapons at IDEX, the international defense industry exhibition held in Abu Dhabi, UAE. IDEX is the largest international defense exhibition in the Middle East, held biennially in the UAE since 1993.

Hanwha Defense exhibited the K9 self-propelled howitzer, considered a core power of the Korean military. Unlike towed artillery, the K9 self-propelled howitzer is mounted on a vehicle and can move independently. The K9’s firing range reaches 40 km. It can fire again within 60 seconds after receiving new firing information and can rapidly fire three shells within 15 seconds.

Exports have continued steadily. In 2001, 280 units were first exported to Turkey, and in 2015, 120 chassis units were sold to Poland. In 2017, steady export records were built up in India (100 units), Finland (28 units), Estonia (12 units), and Norway (24 units). According to SIPRI, from 2000 to 2017, the K9 self-propelled howitzer accounted for 48% (572 units) of the global self-propelled howitzer export market, surpassing Germany’s PzH2000 (189 units), France’s Caesar (175 units), and China’s PLZ-45 (128 units).

LIG Nex1 also has high expectations for the UAE. At last year’s defense exhibition, LIG Nex1 introduced precision-guided weapons such as the 'Cheongung II,' a medium-range, medium-altitude interception system against ballistic missiles and aircraft attacks; the portable surface-to-air guided missile 'Shingung'; the lightweight torpedo 'Cheongsang-eo'; and the infantry medium-range guided missile 'Hyeongung.' They also showcased the 'Counter-Battery Radar-II,' developed domestically and now in mass production.

Developed with domestic technology, the Cheongung has a maximum range of 40 km. It is deployed to intercept enemy aircraft and missiles approaching below 40 km altitude. Each launcher carries eight guided missiles and can fire single or multiple shots at short intervals within seconds from one launcher.

The three-dimensional phased array radar, which integrates multiple radar functions into one, can simultaneously detect and track dozens of enemy missiles approaching from all directions. In November 2017, two Cheongung missiles were fired for the first time in a live-fire test, igniting a second stage in mid-air immediately after launch and flying at Mach 4.5 (about 5,500 km/h) to accurately hit targets approximately 40 km away, demonstrating interception capability against enemy aircraft.

LIG Nex1 has selected the Middle East as a strategic export market and has participated in defense exhibitions held in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, centered on IDEX, since 2009, focusing marketing efforts on key products such as precision-guided weapons and surveillance reconnaissance equipment.