The United Arab Emirates used South Korea’s Cheongung-II surface-to-air missile defence system to intercept Iranian missiles during recent attacks across the Middle East, according to officials familiar with the matter. The interceptions took place as Iranian forces launched retaliatory strikes in response to U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran that began on Saturday.

The Cheongung-II system, which the UAE purchased in recent years as part of South Korea’s growing defence exports, has been integrated into South Korea’s broader air defence network. Officials said the system played a role in intercepting incoming threats during the recent attacks.

This development marks the first time a South Korean-made air defence weapon deployed overseas has been used in real combat. The event highlights the increasing presence of South Korea’s defence industry in the Middle East. It provides one of the first real-world demonstrations of the system’s capabilities outside testing environments.

According to reports from Korean media that cited military officials, the Cheongung-II system was used as part of the UAE’s missile defence network. This network also includes the U.S.-made Patriot air defence system, which works alongside other systems to protect the country from missile and drone attacks.

The Iranian attacks followed continued strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets. These strikes, which began on Saturday, reportedly killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the initial barrage. In response, Iran launched missile and drone attacks targeting U.S. bases across several countries in the Middle East. The attacks also caused damage to civilian infrastructure, including airports and hotels.

The UAE’s Ministry of Defence released figures showing the scale of the attack and the response. According to the ministry, 174 ballistic missiles launched toward the country have been detected since the beginning of the Iranian assault. Of those missiles, 161 were successfully destroyed.

The ministry also reported that Iranian forces launched hundreds of drones during the attacks. A total of 689 drones were detected, and 645 of them were intercepted by the country’s defence systems. This resulted in an interception rate of more than 90 per cent, which is similar to the performance level the Cheongung-II system demonstrated during testing.

The UAE was the first country to purchase and operate the Cheongung-II missile defence system. In 2022, the country signed a $3.5 billion deal to buy ten Cheongung-II batteries from South Korean defence companies LIG Nex1, Hanwha Systems, and Hanwha Aerospace. Since the deal was finalised, two of the systems have already been deployed.

Interest in the system has continued to grow in the region. In 2024, both Saudi Arabia and Iraq signed agreements to acquire the Cheongung-II air defence system. Saudi Arabia’s deal was valued at about $3.2 billion, while Iraq signed a contract worth around $2.8 billion.

The Cheongung-II system was developed as a medium-range surface-to-air defence system designed to intercept ballistic missiles and aircraft. Each Cheongung-II battery includes four launchers, radar equipment, and a fire control centre that coordinates the interception process.

The interceptor missile itself weighs about 400 kilograms and uses a hit-to-kill method. This means the target is destroyed by direct impact rather than by an explosive warhead. The system is designed to intercept ballistic missiles at altitudes over 15 kilometres and in 20 kilometres range.

When used against aircraft, the system can intercept targets at a distance of up to 50 kilometres and at an altitude of up to 20 kilometers.

South Korea’s defence industry has been expanding its exports to the Middle East in recent years. Data from the Export-Import Bank of Korea shows that arms exports to the region increased significantly over a five-year period. In 2019, exports were valued at about $240 million. By 2024, that figure had grown to approximately $740 million, more than tripling during that time.

Last month, South Korea also strengthened its defence relationship with the UAE through a new agreement. Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik visited the UAE, where both sides signed a $35 billion memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation. The agreement goes beyond arms sales and includes cooperation in areas such as design, training, and maintenance.

Meanwhile, experts have noted that North Korea and Iran have shared missile technology for decades. The cooperation dates back to the 1980s and includes Iran’s Shahab-3 ballistic missile, which was developed based on North Korea’s Rodong missile.

However, experts say the recent interceptions in the UAE should not automatically be taken as proof that South Korea’s missile defence system would perform in the same way against a North Korean attack. They point out that North Korea’s newer missiles are more advanced.

Yang Uk, a research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, explained the difference between the missiles used in the recent attacks and North Korea’s newer systems.

“Iran’s older missiles resemble North Korea’s, but North Korea's latest systems are far more advanced,” Yang said. “Missiles such as the KN-23 and KN-24 can perform evasive manoeuvres, and none of the missiles Iran launched this time had that capability.”

Yang also said the issue is not about South Korea lacking the ability to intercept missiles. Instead, he pointed out that the country’s missile defence systems have not had many chances to be tested in real combat situations against more advanced missile technologies.

“The issue is not South Korea’s lack of interception capability, but that its missile defence system has had limited opportunities to be tested in combat against newer missiles,” Yang added.