UAE Plans Purchase the ROK’s M-SAM Missile in a $3.5 Billion Deal
The UAE is looking to upgrade their missile defenses with the newest system the ROK is developing:
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has said it plans to purchase South Korean-made mid-range surface-to-air missiles in a deal likely to reach US$3.5 billion.
The UAE’s Ministry of Defense tweeted Tuesday that it plans to acquire the missile, known as M-SAM. It did not elaborate further.
An official at South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) called the UAE’s announcement “positive” but noted negotiations have yet to be finalized.
“We still need to see how negotiations on the details will proceed,” a DAPA official said on condition of anonymity.
The M-SAM system, called “Cheongung II,” is a core element of South Korea’s multi-layered anti-missile program. Cheongung, means heaven’s bow in Korean.
Employing the “hit-to-kill” technology, the missile is designed to intercept hostile missiles coming in at altitudes below 40 kilometers.
Yonhap
You can read more at the link.
The most impressive technology on display here is the solid fuel in the missile.
As you can see, it emits just as much smoke as other solid fuel systems while in flight.
However, at launch, it protects the health of its users by emitting absolutely no smoke at ground level.
“Fire M-SAM for a green and healthy life.”
They beat out a competiting offer from Israel and the Israeli system already has been exported to other countries and shot down an Iskander ballistic missile during combat conditions, so that’s an achievement in itself.
Although, it would be nice if it was revealed how they beat out the Israelis. Price? Better offsets? Better mobility?