The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced on the 28th that it has successfully deployed the new model of the medium-range surface-to-air guided weapon Cheongung-II. The Cheongung-II deployed this time is an improved weapon system that can intercept ballistic missiles, enhanced from the Cheongung-I previously operated by the Air Force, and features higher performance than the Cheongung-II, which was fully operationalized last year.
According to DAPA, this initial deployment is part of the second project of Cheongung-II. The main goal of the second project is to upgrade the performance of Cheongung-I, originally developed for aircraft interception, to enable it to intercept ballistic missiles as well. This involves adding a command and control center and multifunction radar to Cheongung-I to create Cheongung-II. DAPA and the military plan to complete the operationalization of all units by 2027, investing 645 billion won.
The Cheongung-II deployed this time has higher performance than the Cheongung-II operationalized in the first project, equipped with the latest multifunction radar, among other features. The first project focused on the new development of Cheongung-II, with all aspects of the first project completed by 2024. Cheongung-II has been developed since 2012 under the leadership of the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) to respond to North Korean ballistic missiles. It is considered a core weapon of Korea’s missile defense system (KAMD).
The second project has a lower introduction cost compared to the first. A DAPA official noted, “By upgrading existing weapons, we significantly reduced costs compared to introducing new weapons systems,” and added, “The low-altitude detection capability and simultaneous engagement capability have also improved compared to the existing Cheongung-II.”
Jeong Kyu-heon, head of DAPA’s Future Force Project Division, said, “When the additional operationalization of Cheongung-II, developed with independent technology, is fully realized, the military's response capability will be strengthened,” and added, “We will strive to expand exports in the future.”