UAE Ministry of Defense "Pursuing Purchase of Korean Air Defense Missile M-SAM... Worth 4 Trillion Won"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced plans to purchase the Medium-range Surface-to-Air Missile (M-SAM) developed by South Korea.

On the 16th (local time), the UAE Ministry of Defense announced via Twitter that "We plan to acquire South Korea's air defense system, M-SAM, with a contract worth approximately $3.5 billion (about 4.1 trillion KRW)."

The M-SAM is a ballistic missile interception missile developed by domestic defense companies under the leadership of the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), also known as the "Cheongung" missile.

The UAE Ministry of Defense added in the tweet, "The M-SAM will enhance the qualitative capabilities of the national air defense system." With this acquisition plan, the UAE is expected to become the first overseas country to purchase the M-SAM.

The M-SAM is a missile system independently developed by South Korea to replace the U.S.-made medium-range surface-to-air missile 'MIM-23 Hawk' previously operated by South Korea.

One M-SAM battery consists of four launchers, one engagement control center, one generator vehicle for radar, and a mobile multifunction radar developed by Hanwha Systems.

The M-SAM fundamentally intercepts enemy missiles by a hit-to-kill method, directly colliding with the target.

British military intelligence agency Jane's reported that the M-SAM missile has the capability to accurately intercept enemy ballistic missiles.

Tareq Abdul Rahim Al Hosani, CEO of Tawazun Economic Council, a defense industry company under the UAE Ministry of Defense, said, "We are at a considerably advanced stage in negotiations with Korean officials," adding, "We are close to finalizing the deal." He further stated, "Both sides have agreed to modify and develop the missile system to meet the operational requirements of the UAE Air Force."

He emphasized, "Our Tawazun Economic Council will continue to cooperate with strategic partner countries to strengthen our defense capabilities and achieve strategic priority tasks in the region."