Iraq takes a strategic step to enhance its weather defenses by receiving a developed Korean system
Iraq is preparing to receive the first batch of the Korean air defense system ‘Chongong-2’ to enhance its defense capabilities and protect the national atmosphere, while reforming radars and facing future security challenges.
Arab Defense website-September 12, 2025: Iraq is preparing to receive the first payments from the South Korean Air Defense system, “KM-SAM II”, in a move described by Iraqi officials as a strategy to enhance defense capabilities and protect the national airspace. The Iraqi Defense Minister, Thabet Muhammad Saeed Al -Abbasi, confirmed that the first delivery of this system will take place in the coming months, after signing the contract with Lig Nex1 in September 2024, at a value of $ 2.8 billion, and it is expected that the actual delivery will begin in the beginning of 2026.
This deal is considered the largest of its kind since 2003, and is part of a comprehensive plan to update the Iraqi air defense system. The Chongong-2 system is characterized by its capabilities to intercept the planes and ballistic missiles in the medium term, which enhances Iraq’s ability to address various air threats and protect cities and vital facilities from any possible attacks. Military experts indicate that this system represents a qualitative shift in the defensive Iraq style, as it provides an integration between advanced radars and interceptor missiles, raising the efficiency of response to complex air threats.
In a related context, the Iraqi Minister of Defense revealed the ministry’s efforts to reform radars that were subjected to attacks earlier, stressing that maintenance and reforms have reached the “final stages”, which indicates that these radars would be restored to their full effectiveness. This step comes within continuous efforts to enhance the air defense system, ensure control of the national airspace and face any potential threat attempts.
Despite the clear progress in the modernization of defense capabilities, Iraq faces great challenges in securing the national airspace, especially in light of the repeated attacks on military facilities and vital sites. However, military analysts believe that the Chongong-2 system will significantly contribute to raising the level of deterrence, enhancing security stability, and giving Iraq a better ability to address any complex air threats in the near future.
This deal is expected to constitute a base to enhance military cooperation between Iraq and South Korea, and opens the door for future projects to modernize defense capabilities, reflecting Baghdad’s vision in building an integrated defensive system capable of facing regional and international challenges alike.
The KM-SAM Block II system is classified as a medium-range air defense system, designed to intercept aircraft and ballistic missiles, and features advanced capabilities that make it a qualitative addition to the Iraqi defense structure. Each battery includes between four to six mobile bears, each containing eight missiles, along with a multi -task radar and a driving and control vehicle. The radar depends on the Russian S-400 technology, which is one of the 3D technology with negative electronic survey technology (PESA), and covers an angle of up to 80 degrees with a rotation rate of 40 rpm, with the ability to detect goals within a range of 100 km and track up to 40 goals at the same time.
As for the objectionable missile, it uses the “Hit-To-Kill” technique, with self-deficiency, updates while flying through a data link, and active radar guidance in the final stage, its speed reaches 5 Mach, and covers heights of up to 20 km, and a range of up to 50 km. South Korea began developing this system in 2001, and its first version was completed in 2011, followed by the second version of Block II in 2017, while working on the third version of Block III in 2024, which is characterized by the AESA radar and longer, to fall within the South Korea strategy in building a multi -layer defense, as an alternative to the old American system Hawk.
Iraq becomes the third country in the region to contract this system after the UAE in 2022 and Saudi Arabia in February 2024, which reflects Baghdad’s desire to update its defensive system away from the traditional dependence on Russian weapons.
The importance of the deal
This deal is the largest armament in the field of air defense since the reconstruction of the Iraqi army after 2003. Some differences have emerged between the System Lig Nex1 and Hanwha Aerospace supplied to the borders, radars and vehicles on the delivery schedule, but a series of meetings held in the Korean National Assembly in November 2023, followed by direct talks between the leaders of the two companies early 2025, helped in Over obstacles. By July 2025, Korean officials reported that the preparations were about to end, and the first batch will be delivered within the priorities. The deal also includes support and infrastructure programs, as part of a comprehensive strategic plan developed by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense to build an integrated air defense network.
The ministry published a video clip showing the reasons behind the acquisition of the system, confirming its ability to confront a wide wide from weather threats and its compatibility with the requirements of protecting the Iraqi airspace. This trend reflects the move of Iraq away from relying on Russian regimes, some of which have become complicated. Iraq had previously obtained the PANTSIR-S1 systems from Russia in 2014, and later studied the contract on S-300 or S-400 systems, but the possible US sanctions under CAATSA law and reliability problems prevented this. Iraq also faces challenges in the operation of the old Russian Mi-17 helicopters, which are now replaced by 12 French Airbus H225M CARACAL helicopters.
These difficulties push Iraq towards diversifying the sources of arms, which was reflected in deals with the United States and Europe, including agreements signed in April 2024 to supply flight and air defense equipment with a value of approximately half a billion dollars, during the visit of Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shi’a Al -Sudani to Washington, where President Joe Biden and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met, and ways of enhancing the structure of the Iraqi army and cooperation with the company GENERAL DYNAMICS were discussed in the field Armored vehicles.
KM-SAM systems are integrated into a multi-layer network that includes already existing systems, as Iraq until 2023: 24 Russian PANTSIR-S1, and about 100 Avenger (AN/TwQ-1) American system, along with the Souvic IGLA-S shoulder systems, and some air defense units that use traditional artillery such as traditional artillery such as Zu-23-2 and S-60. The Avenger system is mainly used for point defense against drones, but it lacks shielding. Iraq has developed its radar capabilities by adding French GM403 radars and American TPS-77 from Lockheed Martin, and contracts were signed to buy new South Korean radars to enhance coverage at all altitudes.
Major General Al-Khafaji expects that the merging of Cheongung-II systems with these radars will greatly improve the coverage of the airspace and objection capabilities, as it will be used to intercept air targets and support the leadership and control structure of national air defense.
Regional context and strategic causes
These steps come in light of the escalation of regional threats, including the attacks of drones and missiles from neighboring countries and irregular authorities. Iran transported Karrar tanks near the borders of the Iraqi Khuzestan province, and carried out a missile strike in the Kurdistan region in January 2024, prompting Baghdad to accelerate armament programs. The Israeli air operations in the region also revealed the need for effective detection and objection capabilities.
Since October 2023, American bases in Iraq and Syria have been subjected to more than 20 attacks with drones and missiles, which led to injuries between American soldiers, and attacks escalated after the United States reaffirmed its support for Israel, prompting Iraq to re -evaluate its defensive position. The Iraqi government emphasized that protecting sovereignty and reducing dependence on foreign powers is one of its priorities, and the update of air defense systems as part of this strategic vision.
Iraq’s efforts were regional support from the UAE and Saudi Arabia, which are bound by defensive partnerships with South Korea and contributed to enhancing the stability of the defensive structure in the region. The UAE has obtained M-SAM systems and has conducted training with Korean companies, while Saudi Arabia has concluded a deal worth $ 3.2 billion to buy 10 KM-SAM Block II batteries, as part of their endeavor to reduce dependence on Western suppliers and develop local manufacturing within initiatives such as Saudi Vision 2030. Iraq’s accession to the users of this system comes in the same context, and it may open the way for triple cooperation in the fields of training and support Logistics and technical, especially in operating radars and managing airspace.
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