Cheongung-II penetrated Saudi Arabia after UAE... 4.25 trillion won export deal [Yang Nakgyu's Defence Club]

'Korean-style Patriot' with a scale of 10 batteries

LIG Nex1's medium-range surface-to-air guided missile (M-SAM-II·Cheongung-II) will be exported to Saudi Arabia. The scale is approximately 4.25 trillion KRW.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the industry on the 6th, the medium-range surface-to-air guided missile, which has significantly improved range and interception rate, is called the "Korean Patriot." The M-SAM-II is considered a key force in the lower-layer defense system that intercepts North Korean missiles at altitudes of 30 to 40 km. The M-SAM-II is an upgraded version of the operationally deployed M-SAM-I (below 20 km altitude).

The export scale this time is in the 4 trillion KRW range. One battery consists of 4 launchers, 32 intercept missiles, radar, and a fire control center, and 10 batteries will be exported. M-SAM was also exported to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2022, worth 3.5 billion USD (about 4.73 trillion KRW).

Saudi Export Scale: 10 Batteries Worth 4 Trillion KRW

Meanwhile, our military plans to deploy the Patriot (PAC-2/PAC-3, below 40 km altitude) responsible for lower-layer defense, along with the developing M-SAM-III (above 40 km altitude). The M-SAM-III refers to a guided missile with improved interception performance and engagement capability compared to the M-SAM-II, designed to effectively counter North Korean missiles. Approximately 2.83 trillion KRW will be invested in its development by 2034.

Recently, the KTSSM-I, which can be mounted on the multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) Cheonmu, is also known to have been exported. At Saudi Arabia's request, our military conducted a test launch of the export tactical surface-to-surface guided missile (KTSSM-I) at the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) Anheung Test Site on December 11 last year. This is the first time KTSSM-I has been exported.

First Export of Tactical Surface-to-Surface Guided Missile

Hanwha Aerospace, which produced the KTSSM-I, has been competing for export with China's Norinco-developed King Dragon 300 missile. China emphasized that the King Dragon 300 missile is already operational and is a tactical missile with a range of 300 km. However, it is reported that the King Dragon 300 scored lower in price competitiveness and delivery timing compared to the KTSSM-I. The export scale of KTSSM-I is 1.3 trillion KRW.

Our military also plans to operationalize the KTSSM-I starting this year. Unlike the export version equipped with high-explosive warheads, the KTSSM-I used by our military is intended to destroy long-range artillery positions built in underground tunnels by North Korea. The development timeline for KTSSM-II has also been advanced from 2034 to 2030. Its range is longer, at 300 km, double that of KTSSM-I (180 km).

Meanwhile, our military is also preparing for mass production of the Hyunmoo missile series. Defense Minister Shin Won-sik said at a briefing with defense reporters in December last year, "The tests of ultra-precision and high-power missiles were successful and will proceed according to the planned schedule." Another official said, "The first launch of the Hyunmoo missile is scheduled for the first half of next year."

First Production of the ‘Monster Missile’ Hyunmoo-5 Starting This Year

The Hyunmoo-4 ballistic missile, unveiled at the 75th Armed Forces Day ceremony last October, has already signed production contracts with domestic defense companies. The Hyunmoo-4 is a new ballistic missile upgraded from the Hyunmoo-2, with 'Hyunmoo-4-1' known as a surface-to-surface ballistic missile, 'Hyunmoo-4-2' as a ship-to-surface ballistic missile, and 'Hyunmoo-4-4' as a submarine-launched ballistic missile. The Hyunmoo-5 is known as a ‘monster missile’ with a warhead weight of 8 to 9 tons and a total weight of 36 tons. It can destroy targets such as tunnels or bunkers deeper than 100 meters underground. It is a high-weight missile designed to achieve destruction power similar to nuclear weapons in a non-nuclear situation.

Once the Hyunmoo-5 mass production contract is signed, Hanwha Aerospace's Boeun factory can produce up to about 70 units annually. The military plans to deploy up to 200 units to the 1200th Battalion under the Missile Command.