Cheongung-II Air Defense System Intercepts 29 of 30 Targets in UAE Combat Debut

South Korea’s Cheongung-II air defense system proved highly effective in real combat, successfully protecting the United Arab Emirates’ airspace.

According to The New York Times, details of its use in March were revealed by Yoo Yong-won, a member of South Korea’s National Assembly Defense Committee.

According to the lawmaker, the system achieved a 96% interception success rate while repelling air attacks from Iran.

It is noted that the Cheongung-II intercepted 29 out of 30 designated aerial targets, including Iranian ballistic missiles.

“The Cheongung-II system deployed in the UAE demonstrated a 96% hit rate in real combat operations while countering a large-scale Iranian air attack,” said Yoo Yong-won.

The Korean outlet Korea JoongAng Daily reported that the UAE used 60 interceptor missiles to engage 30 targets, successfully neutralizing 29 of them. It noted that multiple interceptors, usually two, are launched per target to ensure a successful kill.

Following the system’s successful use, the UAE government has asked South Korea to accelerate deliveries of additional Cheongung-II batteries and interceptors. Abu Dhabi aims to receive the ordered equipment ahead of the deadlines set in the main contract to strengthen its defense against Iranian strikes.

As previously reported, in early March the Cheongung-II system deployed in the UAE intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile for the first time. At the onset of the Iranian attacks, two batteries of the system were deployed in the country.

In 2022, the UAE signed a contract with South Korea worth approximately $3.5 billion for the purchase of 10 Cheongung-II batteries. At the time, it was the largest arms export deal in South Korea’s history.

The Cheongung-II systems are designed to counter aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. One battery consists of four launchers, a radar, and a command-and-control center.

The manufacturer states that targets are destroyed using a hit-to-kill method, and during testing the system demonstrated 100% accuracy.