Seoul: Hanwha Defense announced January 18 that it will export the medium-range surface-to-air missile “Cheongung-II” or M-SAM2 launcher to the UAE.

The deal worth more than $ 3.36 billion is South Korea’s largest arms export contract and was signed during President Moon Jae-in’s visit to the UAE. Hanwha Defense set another export milestone in a month After exporting the K9 self-propelled artillery to Australia in December of last year,.

Hanwha Defense will produce the launcher and load/transport vehicle, and Hanwha Systems will produce the radar systems. LIG Nex1, will take charge of synthesizing and delivering the whole missile system to the UAE Air Force.

The Cheongung-II is a medium-range and medium-high altitude surface-to-air intercept system that started development in 2012 under the supervision of the Defense Science Research Institute and started production in 2018 to simultaneously respond to ballistic missile and aircraft attacks. It consists of a fire control station, multi-function radar, and three launcher vehicles.

“We will complete the contract to reinforce the UAE’s military prowess. At the same time, we will help South Korea expand its defense exports,” said Son Jae-il, CEO of Hanwha Defense.

The missile system was first supplied to the South Korean military in 2020. It beat other bidders from the United States and Israel to win the UAE contract.