South Korean Chongun-2 SAM on the international market
Main assets of the KM-SAM air defense missile system
South Korea is seeking to carve out its niche in the international market for anti-aircraft systems and weapons. To this end, it has been actively advertising and promoting the anti-aircraft missile medium-range complex "Chongun-2". This complex has attracted the attention of several foreign customers, and recently a third export contract for its delivery was concluded.
The path to contracts
In the late nineties of the last century, the military department of the Republic of Korea thought about creating a new medium-range air defense system to update and strengthen the country's air defense system. It also did not rule out entering the international market, which could bring in additional income.
The project was named KM-SAM (Korean Medium-range Surface-to-Air Missile). The names Cholmae-2 (Iron Hawk) and Chongun-1 were also used.
Leading South Korean organizations and companies were involved in the development of the new air defense system: Samsung Thales, LIG Nex1 and Doosan DST. However, the local industry lacked the necessary experience and developments, and therefore Korea turned to the Russian concern Almaz-Antey for help. As a result, our enterprise played a key role in the new foreign project.
During the 2015s, an international consortium developed a new project and built prototypes of the KM-SAM air defense system. In the early XNUMXs, tests were conducted, based on the results of which the system was recommended for adoption. Serial production of the Iron Hawk for the Korean armed forces began in XNUMX.
"Chongun" on exercises
In 2017, the South Korean Defense Ministry announced the start of modernization of the existing SAM system. In the coming years, it was planned to create a more advanced KM-SAM Block 2 or "Chongun-2" system. The main changes were to affect the guided missile.
Work on Block 2 did not take long. Already in November 2020, the armed forces of South Korea received the first air defense systems of the new modification. The production of this equipment and missiles for it continues to this day.
According to available data, the South Korean army received 18 batteries of KM-SAM Block 1 air defense systems in the past. The order for the upgraded systems includes the delivery of 7 batteries, and some of this equipment has already been delivered to the troops.
Export successes
The first version of the Chongun/Cholmae SAM was produced only for the South Korean army. Later, a modernized system appeared, and it was decided to bring it to the international market, hoping to conclude export contracts.
The international premiere of the South Korean air defense system took place in February 2021 at the IDEX exhibition in the UAE. Materials on this complex were presented by LIG Nex1, which plays a major role in its development and production. The company expected that the new product would attract the attention of potential customers, and negotiations on deliveries would soon begin.
In November 2021, the UAE Ministry of Defense announced its intention to purchase Korean Chongun-2 air defense systems. The exact number of systems was not disclosed at the time, but it was reported that the order could cost about $3,5 billion. The future customer expressed hope that the new air defense systems would significantly improve its air defense.
KM-SAM Block 2 missile in section
The agreement between South Korea and the UAE on the supply of air defense systems was signed in January 2022. Under the terms of the contract, the customer will receive 12 anti-aircraft batteries with all the necessary equipment. Some of the systems will be manufactured by LIG Nex1, and the rest will be assembled under license in the UAE. The total value of the contract, as reported earlier, was about $3,5 billion.
In the fall of 2022, the United States began looking for modern anti-aircraft systems to transfer to Ukraine. They approached a number of foreign countries with a similar proposal, including South Korea. The possibility of supplying a certain number of Chongun-2 systems was discussed. It is likely that the Korean army was offered to transfer SAMs from its own combat units.
However, the negotiations on this topic ended rather quickly. The Korean leadership refused to share the anti-aircraft systems. The official reason for the refusal was the possible security problems that the shipment of such systems could lead to.
As it became known later, LIG Nex2023 held talks with Saudi Arabia during 1. The Middle Eastern kingdom expressed interest in receiving the Chongun-2 air defense system to strengthen its DefenseThe negotiations continued for several months and were crowned with success.
In February 2024, the South Korean Ministry of Defense announced the signing of a contract to supply 10 batteries of the new air defense system to Saudi Arabia. The total value of the deal was $3,2 billion. According to available information, the contractor is already assembling this equipment. Deliveries of finished products have not yet begun, but are expected in the near future.
Launcher in firing position
In June, foreign specialized media reported that the Iraqi armed forces were interested in the South Korean SAM system. They plan to purchase 8 batteries for a total cost of about $2,56 billion. By that time, the two countries had already begun negotiations, and a contract was expected to be signed soon.
On September 19, the Iraqi Defense Ministry and LIG Nex1 signed an agreement to supply eight Chongun-2 batteries. However, the actual cost of the contract turned out to be higher than reported in the press. Iraq will pay about $2,8 billion for the systems.
According to the terms of the new contract, the next one and a half to two years will be spent on preparatory work and production of the ordered systems. The first batch of equipment will be shipped in 2026, and the last products will be handed over to the customer in 2031.
anti-aircraft weapons
The latest modification of the KM-SAM / Chongun is a mobile medium-range air defense missile system. It is designed for long-term combat duty at one position and is capable of protecting a given area from aerodynamic and ballistic threats.
The Chongun-2 SAM system consists of several key components mounted on a vehicle chassis. A standard battery includes a command post, a multi-functional radar, up to 4-6 launchers, anti-aircraft missiles, and a set of auxiliary equipment.
The radar for KM-SAM was developed using Russian technologies and solutions. It is a multifunctional locator with a passive phased antenna array operating in the X-band. Its maximum detection range is 100 km. Simultaneous tracking of 40 objects is provided.
Demonstration of different stages of the Block 2 rocket launch
Air situation data is automatically transmitted to the command post. The command post electronics independently assess the level of danger of targets and distribute them between launchers and missiles. The command post also controls the launch process. It can interact with both the standard radars of the Chongun complex and with other detection means.
The self-propelled launcher, which is part of the Chongun-2 / KM-SAM air defense system, carries eight transport and launch containers with missiles. When deployed in position, the TPK package rises to a vertical position.
The Chongun-2 SAM system uses a modernized KM-SAM Block 2 anti-aircraft missile. This is a solid-fuel munition in a cylindrical body with a diameter of 275 mm and a length of about 4,6 m. The launch weight of the missile is 400 kg.
The SAM is launched using a powder charge, after which it turns on the cruise engine. The nose of the hull contains gas-dynamic means for tilting towards the target after launch. In flight, the missile develops a speed of about 4,5-5M. The upgraded product has a launch range of 50 km and is capable of hitting targets at altitudes of up to 20 km. For comparison, the missile of the previous modification had a range of 40 km and a hitting altitude of 15 km.
KM-SAM Block 2 is equipped with a combined control system. Flight towards the target is carried out by inertial navigation with correction according to commands from the ground. Active radar guidance is used at the final stage. A high-explosive fragmentation warhead weighing tens of kilograms is used to hit the target.
At a high level
The promising South Korean air defense missile system KM-SAM / "Cholmae-2" / "Chongun-1" was developed with the participation of Russian specialists and using their experience and developments. It is believed that this is what allowed it to achieve high characteristics and technical potential.
In terms of its capabilities, the latest modification of the South Korean air defense system Chongun-2 is often compared to Russian systems such as the S-400 with medium-range missiles and the newer S-350 Vityaz. Foreign experts believe that the KM-SAM Block 2 is at least as good as the Russian models.
"Chongun-2" meets the declared characteristics and looks good against the background of advanced foreign systems. This creates a good reputation for it and attracts the attention of potential customers. Since 2021, South Korean enterprises participating in the project have been making every effort to ensure that the interest of other countries develops into real contracts.
Such efforts have already borne fruit. In the few years since the Chongun-2 entered the international market, South Korean industry has signed three export contracts worth a total of $9,5 billion. However, one request for a supply that could have brought in additional profits was simply rejected.
According to available information, all three export orders for the SAM systems are at the stage of manufacturing various components. The transfer of finished systems has not yet begun, but shipments are planned for the near future. Saudi Arabia will be the first to receive its Chongun-2, and then the same equipment will be sent to two other buyers.
Thus, the process of promoting the South Korean SAM system on the international market is already yielding the desired results, and this gives its creators a reason for optimism and pride. If they manage to fulfill their obligations under current contracts and satisfy all the wishes of customers, they can expect new orders, and with them additional profits.
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