Missile KM-SAM Cheongung

The KM-SAM (M-SAM, Cheongung) is a South Korean medium-range surface-to-air missile system forming the middle tier of the Korean Air and Missile Defense architecture. Development began under the designation Cheolmae-2 and drew on Russian technical assistance, using technology derived from the 9M96 missile employed by the S-350 and S-400 systems. Production and industrialisation were carried out in South Korea, and the system uses no Russian-manufactured components, leaving South Korea with independent export rights unaffected by sanctions on Russia. The Russian design bureau involved continued the parallel line of development, which resulted in the Vityaz system. Mass production was announced in 2015, with deliveries to the Republic of Korea Air Force beginning that September to replace MIM-23 Hawk batteries in service since 1964. Block 1 deliveries were completed in April 2020, and the last Korean Hawk units were retired in July 2021.

A battery comprises an engagement control centre, one multifunction radar, a power generator and four to six transporter erector launchers, each carrying eight missiles in vertical launch canisters. The radar is an X-band passive electronically scanned array derived from that of the S-400, rotating at 40 rpm with coverage to 80 degrees in elevation and the ability to track 40 targets simultaneously. The system can engage six targets at once. The missiles incorporate counter-electronic warfare features to maintain function under jamming.

Block 2 entered final development by 2017 and adds hit-to-kill interception against ballistic targets at medium altitude while retaining anti-aircraft capability. It provides 30 percent improved low-altitude detection and tracking and 60 percent improved multiple-target engagement over Block 1. A naval application firing from the Korean Vertical Launch System aboard Daegu-class frigates has been planned. An upper-tier ballistic missile defence variant was studied but the role was ultimately assigned to the separately developed L-SAM. Block 3 development was approved for the period 2024 to 2034 at a cost of 2.8 trillion won and is to introduce an active electronically scanned array radar.

The Republic of Korea Air Force operates Block 1 batteries in quantity alongside a smaller number of Block 2 units, with further Block 2 batteries on order. The United Arab Emirates ordered Block 2 in a January 2022 agreement worth USD 3.5 billion, at the time the largest South Korean arms export contract, with partial local production; batteries have since entered UAE service. Saudi Arabia ordered Block 2 batteries in February 2024 for USD 3.2 billion, and Iraq in September 2024 for USD 2.8 billion. Indonesia issued a letter of intent for two Block 2 batteries in May 2026, and Morocco has the system under consideration. In 2022 the United States requested transfers to Ukraine; South Korea declined.

On 3 March 2026, two Emirati batteries fired 60 missiles against Iranian missiles during the war with Iran, with a reported 96 percent interception rate.