Iraq confirms future arrival of South Korean KM-SAM-II air defense system to replace outdated Russian assets.

As reported by Shafaq News on June 5, 2025, Iraq is preparing to receive the first units of the South Korean Cheongung-II air defense system as part of a $2.8 billion contract signed in September 2024 with LIG Nex1. The system, also known as KM-SAM Block II, is expected to be delivered within the next few months, according to official statements from both Iraqi and South Korean sources.
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The KM-SAM Block II uses hit-to-kill missiles to engage targets up to 50 kilometers away, and intercept threats at altitudes of up to 20 kilometers, all guided by a multifunction radar able to track 40 targets simultaneously within a 100-kilometer radius. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Iraqi Defense Minister Thabet al-Abbasi stated that the delivery will follow a schedule reviewed in line with Iraq’s national priorities and operational needs. The acquisition includes eight batteries and reflects Iraq’s increasing engagement with non-Russian defense suppliers following reliability issues and supply constraints that emerged after the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. On July 5, 2025, Major General Tahseen al-Khafaji, who serves as the Director of Media and Military Guidance and Deputy Head of the Security Media Cell, confirmed that the delivery of this advanced system was proceeding without obstacles, and that air defense enhancements remain a central part of Iraq’s security agenda under the current government.

The KM-SAM Block II system is designed for medium-range interception of aircraft and ballistic missiles. Each battery includes four to six mobile launchers, each armed with eight missiles, a multifunction radar, and a command and control vehicle. The radar is a passive electronically scanned array (PESA) X-band 3D radar based on technology from the Russian S-400, with a rotational rate of 40 rpm, 80-degree elevation coverage, and the ability to detect targets within 100 kilometers and track up to 40 simultaneously. The interceptor uses a combination of inertial navigation, midcourse updates through datalink, and terminal active radar homing. The hit-to-kill missile reaches speeds of up to Mach 5, can operate at a maximum altitude of 20 kilometers, and has a range of 50 kilometers. Development of the system began in 2001, with Block I completed in 2011 and Block II in 2017. The Block III variant, featuring an AESA radar and longer range, entered development in 2024. The KM-SAM system is integrated into South Korea’s three-layered air and missile defense structure and replaces the older MIM-23 Hawk system. Iraq becomes the third country in the region to acquire it after the UAE in 2022 and Saudi Arabia in February 2024.

Representing Iraq’s most significant air defense acquisition since the post-2003 rebuilding of its military forces, this export agreement for Cheongung-II follows a period of internal coordination among South Korean defense firms. LIG Nex1, which produces the system, and Hanwha Group, which supplies launchers, radar, and vehicles, initially disagreed over delivery scheduling, according to press reports. Meetings held at the National Assembly in November 2023 resulted in an initial agreement, followed by further discussions between Hanwha Aerospace and LIG Nex1 executives in early 2025. As of July 2025, South Korean officials indicated that the negotiation process was nearing completion and that the first deliveries would be prioritized. The $2.8 billion deal also includes training and support infrastructure. Iraq has also emphasized that this delivery is part of a broader strategic plan initiated by the Ministry of Defense to build an integrated air defense network. A YouTube video released by the Ministry outlines the rationale behind the acquisition of Cheongung-II, citing the system’s suitability for intercepting a range of aerial threats and its alignment with Iraq’s airspace protection strategy.

Iraq’s recent efforts to acquire new air defense capabilities reflect a shift away from dependence on Russian systems, some of which have become increasingly difficult to maintain. The country previously acquired Pantsir-S1 systems from Russia in 2014 and considered S-300 or S-400 systems in later years, but these prospects were affected by concerns over reliability and the potential for U.S. sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). Iraq also faces operational challenges with aging Russian Mi-17 helicopters, which are now being replaced with 12 Airbus H225M Caracal helicopters. The difficulties in operating Russian equipment have driven Iraq toward a more diversified procurement strategy, including deals with the United States and European suppliers. In April 2024, Iraq signed agreements with the U.S. government for military aviation and air defense systems. These “turnkey” contracts, worth nearly half a billion dollars, were concluded during Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s visit to Washington, where he also met with President Joe Biden and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. The visit included discussions on strengthening the Iraqi military infrastructure and expanding cooperation with General Dynamics for armored vehicle supplies.

The Cheongung-II/KM-SAM Block II systems are to be integrated into a layered network that includes several existing systems. As of 2023, Iraq operated 24 Russian Pantsir-S1 units, approximately 100 U.S. Avenger (AN/TWQ-1) systems, and older Soviet Igla-S man-portable systems. Artillery-based air defense units still operate legacy systems such as the ZU-23-2 and S-60. The Avenger, although mobile and lightweight, lacks armor and is primarily used for point-defense against low-flying threats, including drones. Iraq’s radar infrastructure has been expanded with the introduction of French GM403 radars and the U.S.-built TPS-77 system from Lockheed Martin. The Ministry of Defense has also signed agreements for the delivery of additional South Korean radars, intended to support air surveillance across low, medium, and high altitudes. Iraqi officials expect the integration of Cheongung-II with these radar assets to significantly enhance coverage and interception capabilities across the national airspace. According to al-Khafaji, the Cheongung-II systems will be deployed for engaging aerial targets and will support the wider structure of Iraq’s air defense command.

The air defense modernization plan has been shaped by recent regional developments, including drone and missile threats from neighboring states and non-state actors. Iran’s military posture, including the movement of Karrar main battle tanks near Iraq’s Khuzestan border and a ballistic missile strike on the Kurdistan Region in January 2024, has contributed to Baghdad’s decision to accelerate procurement. Additionally, Turkish air operations in northern Iraq, conducted in response to PKK activity, have further exposed Iraq’s need for reliable aerial detection and interception. Since October 2023, U.S. military installations in Iraq and Syria have been the target of more than twenty drone and rocket attacks, leading to casualties among U.S. personnel. These attacks intensified after the U.S. restated its support for Israel, prompting a reassessment of the defense posture in Iraq. Iraqi officials have made clear that protecting the country’s sovereignty and limiting foreign military presence are strategic goals of the current government. In this context, the air defense upgrade is seen as part of a broader effort to mitigate dependency on foreign forces for aerial security.

Regional support for Iraq’s defense modernization has also come from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, both of which have defense partnerships with South Korea and have contributed indirectly to regional air defense stability. The UAE has received M-SAM systems and conducted training in partnership with South Korean firms, while Saudi Arabia’s $3.2 billion contract for ten KM-SAM Block II batteries reflects a shared procurement trend across the Gulf. These countries also aim to reduce dependence on Western defense providers by expanding domestic manufacturing capacities under programs such as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Iraq’s procurement of the same system aligns it with broader Middle Eastern trends and could open opportunities for training and logistics partnerships with these regional actors. The UAE and Saudi Arabia have both supported Iraq through training programs and military technology transfers, particularly in areas such as radar operation and airspace management.