From Cheongung to L-SAM: Middle East, Europe eye Korea’s next missile shield
Published: 17 Mar. 2026, 04:00
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- CHO YONG-JUN
- [email protected]
![A model for the long-range surface-to-air missile, commonly known as the L-SAM, at the World Defense Show in Saudi Arabia in 2026. [HANWHA AEROSPACE]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/17/209cdee4-8f19-4e9f-a631-ea633c3b1328.jpg)
A model for the long-range surface-to-air missile, commonly known as the L-SAM, at the World Defense Show in Saudi Arabia in 2026. [HANWHA AEROSPACE]
With modern combat, from the Iran conflict to the Russia-Ukraine war, increasingly dominated by missile and drone attacks, Korea’s air defense systems are drawing unprecedented attention from governments in the Middle East and Europe — and giving a boost to defense stocks.
Defense firm LIG Nex1's medium-range surface-to-air missile, the Cheongung-II or Skybolt, made headlines with a successful combat debut as part of the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) defense against Iranian strikes last week, and interest is now spreading to upper-tier missile defense systems such as a long-range surface-to-air missile (L-SAM) system.
Hanwha Aerospace, the manufacturer of the yet-to-be-deployed L-SAM, had already showcased the defense system — dubbed the Korean version of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) system — to major Middle Eastern and European countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Belgium.
The L-SAM entered mass production in November of last year and is expected to be deployed to Korean forces as early as 2027.
![Korea’s Cheongung mid-range surface-to-air interceptor system is spotted during a military parade marking the 76th Armed Forces Day in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, on Oct. 1, 2024. [YONHAP]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/17/6a3bd412-16ab-42fe-9015-dc6ebcf35066.jpg)
Korea’s Cheongung mid-range surface-to-air interceptor system is spotted during a military parade marking the 76th Armed Forces Day in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, on Oct. 1, 2024. [YONHAP]
The UAE and Saudi Arabia expressed interest in the L-SAM system even before it entered mass production, according to multiple local media outlets. Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan attended the International Defence Exhibition and Conference 2025, one of the largest defense showcases in the Middle East, in February to promote the interceptor to the UAE.
Last weekend, Hanwha Aerospace guided Belgium Prime Minister Bart De Wever, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Belgium's defense minister, Theo Francken, through a presentation of the L-SAM system at Brussels European Defence Exhibition (Bedex) 2026 in Belgium.
![From second left, Belgium Prime Minister Bart De Wever, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha System's booth at the Brussels European Defence Exhibition & Conference in March. [HANWHA AEROSPACE]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/17/c338da1b-925c-4609-8617-3ff147cb856c.jpg)
From second left, Belgium Prime Minister Bart De Wever, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha System's booth at the Brussels European Defence Exhibition & Conference in March. [HANWHA AEROSPACE]
“Hanwha is expected to attract European attention with its price competitiveness and fast delivery times as the U.S.-made Patriot or Thaad systems can be a burden in terms of price,” an industry insider said.
Hanwha Aerospace told the Korea JoongAng Daily on Monday that Francken was especially interested in the L-SAM, asking questions about the system.
The system uses two types of interceptors: one anti-air system that is optimized to shoot down aircraft and cruise missiles with an operational range of 150 kilometers (93 miles) and one antiballistic missile hit-to-kill system that destroys fast-diving ballistic missiles at a range of 40 to 70 kilometers. Hanwha Aerospace produces the antiballistic interceptors, while LIG Nex1 makes the anti-aircraft missiles.
![Hanwha Group Vice President Kim Dong-kwan, left, at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Feb. 17, 2025 [HANWHA GROUP]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/17/9797ba9a-1634-43fe-ab6a-f23d5e87e45a.jpg)
Hanwha Group Vice President Kim Dong-kwan, left, at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Feb. 17, 2025 [HANWHA GROUP]
Reflecting the broader defense boom, Hanwha Aerospace closed at 1.47 million won ($983) on Monday, 23.51 percent higher than the 1.2 million won recorded on Feb. 27, before the war broke out. The stock briefly surpassed 1.6 million won during intraday trading on March 4.
Shares of LIG Nex1, the system manufacturer of the Cheongung, shot up from 509,000 won on Feb. 27, right before the U.S.-Israeli strikes in Iran, to 661,000 won on March 3, before continuing its massive rally to reach an intraday peak of 899,000 won on March 6. Shares closed at 730,000 won on Monday, 43.42 percent higher than the closing price on Feb. 27.
The catalyst for the surge in interest — and stock prices — for both firms was the release of details on March 3 about successful missile interception by the Cheongung, also referred to as a medium surface-to-air missile (M-SAM), Korea’s answer to the Patriot system developed in the United States.
Left with little choice but to retaliate, Tehran launched a massive barrage of missiles at regional neighbors hosting military installations belonging to Washington and its allies. As the assault approached UAE airspace, Abu Dhabi activated its Korean-made batteries.
The outcome was more than satisfactory: The system reportedly achieved an interception success rate of approximately 96 percent, which appeared to lead to the UAE requesting faster delivery of Cheongung-II missiles to replenish its stockpiles.
![A surface-to-air missile is fired from a Cheongung-II air defense system during live-fire drills in an unspecified western coastal area on Wednesday. [YONHAP]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/17/4f04aac1-3d01-4edd-aa17-16dab0a0a48e.jpg)
A surface-to-air missile is fired from a Cheongung-II air defense system during live-fire drills in an unspecified western coastal area on Wednesday. [YONHAP]
The UAE currently relies on the U.S.-made Patriot PAC-3 for low-altitude point defense and Thaad for wide coverage, making the Korean-made system a relatively new addition still in the early stages of deployment.
Armed with price competitiveness as its biggest weapon, LIG Nex1 originally secured a $3.5 billion deal with the UAE in 2021, followed by export contracts to Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Paired with the Cheongung, Hanwha Aerospace's L-SAM is expected to complete Korea’s missile defense package.
Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems — the manufacturers of the radar fitted to both the Cheongung and L-SAM — had already attracted attention from potential European customers. The two companies participated in Bedex from Thursday to Saturday, making them the first Korean firms to participate in the Belgian industry showcase.
![A render of Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems' booth at the Brussels European Defence Exhibition 2026. [HANWHA]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/17/a4245b4a-8667-43de-99cb-1d92c91208ac.jpg)
A render of Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems' booth at the Brussels European Defence Exhibition 2026. [HANWHA]
LIG Nex1 had an expo first of its own in January, participating in a defense expo in Qatar, where the company showcased its combined air defense solution, composed of the Cheongung-II and L-SAM, in its debut appearance at the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition & Conference.
BY CHO YONG-JUN [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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