UAE Shows Interest in Domestic Defense Missile

UAE Defense Exhibition Participant Eo Seong-cheol, Hanwha Systems President
"Following Cheongung-II, L-SAM Export Potential Also Expected"

[Abu Dhabi=Joint Press Corps of the Ministry of National Defense & Asia Economy Military Specialist Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] The defense industry reported that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) showed interest in the domestically developed Long-range Surface-to-Air Missile (L-SAM).

On the 21st (local time), at the integrated booth of Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems, and Hanwha Defense?three Hanwha companies?at the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX 2023) held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan personally visited.

Eoseongcheol, CEO of Hanwha Systems

President Mohammed asked questions such as "Is the L-SAM capable of 360-degree defense?", "What types of missiles are there, and can these be well detected?", and "Are there any regulations when importing this?" Hanwha Systems CEO Uh Seong-cheol told the press.

CEO Uh welcomed the questions, saying, "(President Mohammed) probably studied in great detail and thought deeply about it, so his level of understanding is quite high." He added, "We have already secured orders for the M-SAM, and they are now showing rapid interest in the L-SAM as well," and "The L-SAM system development is almost complete." The L-SAM, known as the "Korean THAAD" (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, a high-altitude missile defense system), is being developed to intercept North Korean ballistic missiles flying at altitudes of 50 to 60 km. Hanwha Systems is responsible for developing the radar for the L-SAM. The UAE is already operating the domestically produced medium-range surface-to-air missile (M-SAM) upgraded version, Cheongung-II.

CEO Uh also mentioned a system to counter long-range artillery, stating, "Long-range artillery can fire up to 130 rounds in succession," and "The defense system capable of intercepting these is the 'Anti-MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System),' but in fact, this has not yet been operationalized anywhere on Earth." Nevertheless, he said, "(Operationalization) is fully possible," and added, "We believe the entire system will consist of medium-range, long-range, and Anti-MLRS." This is interpreted as a plan to integrate the medium-altitude M-SAM, high-altitude L-SAM, and low-altitude Anti-MLRS.

The Anti-MLRS is the same concept as the system the military is developing under the name Long-range Artillery Missile Defense (LAMD). LAMD is modeled after Israel's air defense system "Iron Dome" and is called the "Korean Iron Dome" or "K Iron Dome."

CEO Uh said that President Mohammed also visited the Hanwha booth in 2021 when he was Crown Prince, stating, "At that time, after expressing interest, the export negotiations for the M-SAM accelerated," and "We are discussing details with UAE companies regarding additional orders."

Meanwhile, IDEX 2023 reflected the defense industry's high interest in drones and unmanned aerial vehicles, which have attracted attention in the recent Russia-Ukraine war. Korean company LIG Nex1 showcased a "small reconnaissance and strike composite drone" capable of suicide attacks. Ammunition manufacturer Poongsan exhibited a coaxial rotor drone with a cylindrical body that can interchange modules for surveillance reconnaissance, ammunition dropping, and fragmentation high-explosive types. Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) displayed the NI-500VT, a vertical takeoff and landing unmanned reconnaissance aircraft.

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