U.A.E. Signs MoU with South Korea to Acquire $3.5B Missile Defense System

The United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with South Korea for the purchase of M-SAM advanced air defense systems for $3.5 billion.

The Emirati Ministry of Defense tweeted during weeklong aviation trade show last November that it plans to acquire M-SAM systems for $3.5 billion. The MoU for the surface-to-air missiles was signed on Sunday after the meeting between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Emirati Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in Dubai.

The M-SAM (Cheongung II, KM-SAM or Cheolmae-2) developed by LIG Nex1 and Hanwha Systems is a core element of South Korea's multi-layered anti-missile program. The project to develop the M-SAM was launched in 2012. The missile passed a suitability evaluation for field operations in 2017, and its mass-production began the following year.

Employing the "hit-to-kill" technology, the missile is designed to intercept hostile missiles coming in at altitudes below 40km. It is the first indigenously-developed medium-range surface-to-air guided missile. The system is built based on technology from the 9M96 missile used on S-350E and S-400 missile systems.

It is equipped with multifunction radar to strike aircraft and missiles simultaneously. The modernization project was kick-started in 2021. The system is said to have recorded a 100% accuracy rate at multiple test launches.