UAE buys Korean surface-to-air missiles reaching Mach 5 speed
The United Arab Emirates has decided to buy South Korean surface-to-air missile systems Cheolmae-II, citing a press release from the South Korean company Hanwha Defense. The total value of the deal is approximately $ 3.3 billion.
The UAE will receive surface-to-air missile systems including rocket batteries, a freight vehicle, and a radar system. The production of Cheolmae-II will be carried out by two South Korean companies.
Hanwha Defense CEO Son Je-il said: “This UAE export agreement makes sense because it is a meaningful result achieved by the Korean government and various defense companies working together as a team.” According to Son Je-il, the company will try to sell K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers to the UAE as well.
Cheolmae-II is a South Korean medium-range surface-to-air missile [SAM] system. This missile system is not a purely South Korean design, as Russian state-owned companies Almaz-Altai and Fakel have been involved in its development, especially in terms of technological support. Moreover, Cheolmae-II incorporates Russian 9M96 missile technology, which is the main weapon of the famous S-350E and S-400 air defense systems. It is no coincidence that the appearance of the Cheolmae-II is very similar to that of the S-350E.
