South Korean missile shield vs Iranian barrage: the fight to protect UAE’s skies

The United Arab Emirates has asked South Korea to accelerate deliveries of Cheongung-II surface-to-air missile batteries to help intercept incoming attacks, officials familiar with the matter said.The request comes as Iranian forces have launched retaliatory strikes across the Middle East following continued attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel.The system, sold to the UAE in recent years as part of Seoul’s expanding defence exports, has been integrated into the country’s broader air defence network.Defence industry sources said Cheongung-II’s strong performance in combat conditions could strengthen its export prospects in the Middle East and beyond, especially if the conflict is prolonged and involved countries move to replenish depleted air defence stockpiles.US and Israeli strikes on Iran have continued since last Saturday, when Iranian Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the initial barrage. Tehran responded with missile and drone attacks on US bases in Middle Eastern countries, damaging civilian facilities, including airports and hotels.South Korean media, citing military officials, reported that the UAE has requested Cheongung-II batteries to be delivered earlier than scheduled under the contract, but South Korea said speeding up the timeline would be difficult because of existing commitments.The UAE has reportedly asked that interceptor missiles be supplied first if early delivery of the batteries proves impossible, a request the South Korean government is reviewing.