It has been confirmed that the government provided 30 interceptor missiles of the domestically made missile interception system "Cheongung-II" to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Professor Abdulkhaleq Abdulla said on the 10th on social media that he was "sincerely grateful to Korea for promptly providing 30 interceptor missiles," adding, "These missiles were quickly transported by a C-17 transport aircraft. A friend in need is a friend indeed." Abdulla, a UAE political scientist, is known as an informal adviser to the president.
The UAE's C-17 transport aircraft reportedly arrived at Daegu Airport on the night of the 8th. The Cheongung-II missiles appear to have been moved on this aircraft. In fact, the previous afternoon, the loading of what was presumed to be Cheongung-II missiles onto the transport aircraft was captured.
Earlier, in 2022, the UAE signed a contract with Korea to introduce 10 batteries of Cheongung-II. So far, two batteries have been deployed in the UAE. When Iran carried out missile attacks on neighboring countries, the Cheongung-II deployed in the UAE was also said to have been operated along with U.S.-made Patriot missiles.
Yu Yong-weon, a lawmaker of the People Power Party on the National Defense Committee of the National Assembly, said on the 5th, citing well-informed sources, that about 60 interceptor missiles were fired from the two Cheongung-II batteries deployed in the UAE, recording a 96% interception success rate.