South Korea Better Prepared for Kim After Trial by Fire in UAE

A South Korean-made air defense system deployed in the United Arab Emirates has recorded a reported 96% interception rate against Iranian missiles and drones during the war, according to officials in Seoul.

The Cheongung-II system, also known as KM-SAM Block II, saw its first known combat use as the UAE faced repeated missile and drone attacks amid the expanding regional conflict.

Yu Yong-weon, a member of South Korea’s National Assembly defense committee, said the system’s performance was notable given the scale and complexity of the attacks.

“In large-scale attacks involving drones and maneuvering ballistic missiles, it is rare to see interception rates above 90%,” he said.

According to the report, about 60 interceptor missiles have been fired so far from two Cheongung-II batteries deployed in the UAE.

The system is a medium-range air defense platform designed to intercept aircraft and missiles, often compared to the U.S. Patriot system. The UAE became its first foreign buyer in a multibillion-dollar agreement announced in 2022.

Abu Dhabi also operates U.S. Patriot and THAAD systems as part of a layered air defense network, and defense reports have indicated the country may also operate Israeli-made Barak interceptors.

The UAE has been among the Gulf states most heavily affected by the war’s spillover. Iranian missile and drone attacks have struck targets across the region, triggering alerts and causing damage near major cities and infrastructure.

In response to the intensity of the attacks, South Korea has reportedly agreed to send additional interceptor missiles to the UAE after Emirati forces rapidly depleted supplies during sustained barrages.