'Korean Patriot' Cheongung-II, 3.5 Trillion Won Export to Iraq

If Successful, Third Trillion-Won Export This Year

The export contract for the medium-range surface-to-air missile Cheongung-II, known as the "Korean version of the Patriot," is expected to be signed shortly after the Chuseok holiday. The deal is estimated to be worth about $2.6 billion (3.5 trillion KRW), and if finalized, it will be the third export following the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia.

According to foreign media reports on the 12th, LIG Nex1 is expected to sign a contract with the Iraqi government to export 8 battalions of Cheongung-II as early as right after the Chuseok holiday. It is reported that final negotiations are underway.

Cheongung-II intercepts North Korean missiles at an altitude of 30 to 40 km.
[Photo by Air Force]

Last November, LIG Nex1 signed an export contract with the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Defense for 10 battalions of Cheongung-II. The contract amount was $3.2 billion (4.25 trillion KRW). In 2022, they exported Cheongung-II worth 4 trillion KRW to the UAE, which was the first export contract at that time.

If the contract with Iraq is finalized, it will be the third export deal worth trillions of KRW this year, following the export of the multiple launch rocket system "Cheonmu" to Poland in April (2.25 trillion KRW) and the export of K-9 self-propelled howitzers and ammunition carriers to Romania in July (1.4 trillion KRW). It will also be the largest contract of the year.

Meanwhile, Cheongung-II is a key interceptor missile in the Korean Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) system. It is a weapon system capable of intercepting North Korean missiles at altitudes of 30 to 40 km. It flies at five times the speed of sound to destroy targets. Each launcher can carry up to 8 interceptor missiles.