As Iraqi and U.S. officials continue to negotiate the withdrawal of American forces from the region, Baghdad is poised to enhance its air defense capabilities with a reported $2.8 billion deal to acquire South Korean missile systems.
Iraq’s Ministry of Defense announced on Thursday that it has signed a contract with a South Korean company to procure several advanced medium-range batteries, aimed at bolstering the Iraqi armed forces’ ability to maintain peace and sovereignty.
In a statement, Iraq’s defense chief hailed the agreement as a “qualitative strategic breakthrough” for the country’s air defense, asserting that it will cover all Iraqi airspace and contribute to regional stability.
While the Iraqi statement did not divulge specific details, South Korean and international media have reported that LIG Nex1, a South Korean defense firm, will supply the Cheongung-II air defense system as part of the $2.8 billion deal. This acquisition comes as the Iraqi armed forces are engaged in counter-terrorism operations, particularly against ISIS, and have faced armed drone attacks on coalition bases, attributed to Iran-backed militias.
With this latest purchase, LIG Nex1 has secured its third export deal for the Cheongung-II system, following previous agreements with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
According to the South Korean news outlet Yonhap, the Cheongung-II is designed to intercept missiles and aircraft, with an effective range of 40 kilometers against targets at altitudes up to 15 kilometers. In South Korea, the Cheongung-II serves as a middle layer within a three-tiered defense system, with U.S.-made Patriots addressing lower-tier threats and THAAD handling upper-tier challenges.
LIG Nex1 is expected to manufacture the missiles and integrated systems, while Hanwha Systems will provide the radar technology, and Hanwha Aerospace will supply the launchers and vehicles.
This purchase occurs in the context of ongoing discussions between Iraqi officials and the U.S. regarding a significant reduction of foreign troops, a decision that experts believe will rigorously test the Iraqi military’s capacity to maintain security in the country.
