Government Prepares for North Korean Missile Threat... Additional Production of Domestic Ballistic Missile Defense System 'Cheongung-II'

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The government has decided to mass-produce additional units of the domestically produced latest ballistic missile interception system, 'Cheongung-II,' in preparation for North Korea's missile threats.

Additionally, the government plans to purchase more large transport aircraft for airlift and emergency overseas rescue missions during wartime or peacetime, and to officially commence the development of domestically produced ship-based surface-to-air guided missiles.

On the 25th, the government held the 142nd Defense Acquisition Program Promotion Committee meeting via video conference and reviewed and approved the second purchase plan for large transport aircraft, the basic development plan for the second phase of the long-range air-to-ground guided missile project, the basic strategy plan for the ship-based surface-to-air guided missile-II project, and the revised basic strategy plan for the Cheolmae-II performance improvement project.

The 'Cheolmae-II performance improvement project' is the development and mass production project of the Korean ballistic missile interception missile system, 'Cheongung-II.' The government decided to increase the quantity of 'Cheongung-II,' a missile that intercepts enemy aircraft or ballistic missiles, and approved the revised basic strategy plan for project promotion on the same day.

It is known that approximately 720 billion KRW will be invested in related projects from 2023 to 2029. However, the specific scale of additional mass production was not disclosed.

The government stated, "Through this project, the capability to respond to enemy ballistic missiles is expected to improve, and export expansion is anticipated."

Cheongung-II is a core weapon of the Korean Air and Missile Defense system (KAMD), and recently signed an export contract worth 4 trillion KRW with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking the largest single domestic weapon contract.

Furthermore, to enhance airlift operation capabilities, the government plans to secure additional large transport aircraft through overseas commercial purchases. A total project cost of 710 billion KRW will be invested by 2026.

For purposes such as airlift during wartime and peacetime, international peacekeeping, and emergency overseas rescue missions, Airbus's A400M, Lockheed Martin's C-130J, and Brazil's Embraer C-390 are reportedly competing.

To foster the domestic defense industry, this project has been selected as a 'pilot project mandating domestic company participation (consortium formation).'

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.