Switzerland has reportedly put Korea's Cheongung II on the review list to fill a capability gap caused by delivery delays of the U.S. Patriot surface-to-air missile system. Attention is on whether Cheongung II can expand exports to Europe, as it recently proved its strong performance with a 96% interception success rate in the recent U.S.-Iran war.
On the 3rd (local time), according to Defense Industry Europe, a European defense industry outlet, Switzerland's defense procurement agency recently requested information on surface-to-air defense systems from four countries: Korea, Germany, France and Israel. It also reportedly contacted five defense companies individually. Though the companies' names were not disclosed, they are presumed to belong to those four countries.
Kai-Gunnar Sievert, Spokesperson for Switzerland's defense procurement agency, said, "Delivery time, expense, performance and the share of European production will be key priorities in selecting a surface-to-air defense system," adding, "This request for information corresponds to a preliminary data-gathering stage prior to a formal proposal submission." The agency plans to begin its review after receiving information by the end of this month.
The Patriot system, developed by U.S. company Raytheon, is a surface-to-air guided weapon system that intercepts and defends against enemy aircraft and cruise missiles in the air. Using radar, it simultaneously tracks multiple targets and intercepts by directly colliding with enemy aircraft and missiles to self-destruct. It is a core and standard weapon system responsible for the air defense network of Korea and other Western countries.
Switzerland is seeking an additional surface-to-air defense system to fill a capability gap stemming from delayed delivery of the Patriot system. On Feb. 2, the United States reprioritized Patriot deliveries in line with aid to Ukraine and notified Switzerland of a possible four- to five-year delivery delay and additional expense. Switzerland had originally been scheduled to receive the Patriot system in 2027–2028.
With a war breaking out between the United States and Iran afterward, supplying U.S. Patriot systems has become even more difficult. The Financial Times (FT) reported on the 2nd that "the Ministry of National Defense has informed European allies, including the United Kingdom, Poland, Lithuania and Estonia, that deliveries of several missile systems will be seriously delayed." The Patriot system was reportedly among them.
Cheongung II is a domestically produced surface-to-air defense system known as the "Korean-style Patriot." Depending on the target type, its range is 20–50 kilometers, and its intercept altitude is 15–40 kilometers. Each launcher carries eight missiles, and the maximum speed exceeds Mach 5 (1.7 kilometers per second). LIG Defense & Aerospace (LIG D&A) produces the missile and integrated system, Hanwha Systems produces the radar, and Hanwha Aerospace produces the launcher and vehicles. Cheongung II has so far been exported only to the Middle East.
The Patriot system has a range from 60 kilometers up to a maximum of 150 kilometers. Its maximum intercept altitude is 30–40 kilometers. It is thus better suited for long-range interception than Cheongung II. The missile launch methods also differ. The Patriot system ignites the missile engine inside the launcher, while Cheongung II's missile engine starts in the air after launch. As a result, unlike the Patriot system, Cheongung II can change missile direction in midair.
Industry officials say Cheongung II's adoption depends on Switzerland's operational purpose. An official at one company said, "Cheongung II and the Patriot system may look similar, but their functions differ slightly," adding, "To purchase Cheongung II, Switzerland will need to review various aspects, including the country's unique operational environment with many mountains and whether it can be integrated with existing weapon systems."
However, Cheongung II is far cheaper than the Patriot system, and the fact that it recently completed combat validation, which had been its biggest weakness, is seen as a positive. When the United Arab Emirates (UAE) came under attack with hundreds of ballistic missiles from Iran in February, it used Cheongung II for interception, and the success rate was reportedly 96%.
An industry official said, "Regardless of whether it is ultimately adopted, the fact that Cheongung II has entered the shortlist as a surface-to-air weapon capable of replacing the U.S. Patriot system proves the elevated status of K-defense and is an encouraging development."