Journalist
Kim Hee-su
khs@ajunews.com
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North Korea fires over 10 ballistic missiles despite Trump's outreach SEOUL, March 14 (AJP) - North Korea launched more than 10 ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Saturday, South Korea’s military said. “Our military detected more than 10 unidentified ballistic missiles launched toward the East Sea from the Sunan area near Pyongyang today at around 1:20 p.m.,” the JCS said in a statement. The military added that it has strengthened surveillance and vigilance in preparation for additional launches while closely sharing related information with the United States and Japan. Pyongyang previously fired a ballistic missile toward the East Sea on Jan. 27. If the latest launch is confirmed to be a ballistic missile, it would mark the country’s first such launch in 47 days and its third this year. Launching more than 10 missiles at once is unusual and is widely seen as a show of force. The launch came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump signaled openness to dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. During a meeting with South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok at the White House on Friday, Trump reportedly said he maintains “a good relationship” with Kim and asked whether the North Korean leader still wants to engage in talks with the United States and with him personally. Since returning to the White House in January last year, Trump has repeatedly expressed willingness to resume dialogue with Pyongyang. However, North Korea appeared to respond to Trump’s overture with a show of force just a day later. The launch is also seen as a protest against the ongoing South Korea-U.S. joint military exercise Freedom Shield (FS), which began on March 9 and runs through March 19. The allies have reduced the number of field training exercises (FTX) to less than half compared with last year during this year’s FS drills, a theater-level combined exercise designed to prepare for potential contingencies on the Korean Peninsula. Despite the reduction, North Korea has continued to denounce the drills as a “rehearsal for invasion.” Kim Yo-jong, vice department director of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea, issued a statement a day after the drills began, warning that the hostile forces’ military demonstrations near what she called the country’s sovereign security zone could lead to “horrific consequences.” 2026-03-14 14:16:47 -
Fuel prices decline a day after government price cap begins SEOUL, March 14 (AJP) - Average fuel prices at gas stations across South Korea continued to fall on Saturday, a day after the government’s oil price cap took effect. According to the Korea National Oil Corp.’s price information system Opinet, the nationwide average price of gasoline stood at 1,851.9 won ($1.24) per liter as of 9 a.m., down 12.2 won from the previous day. Diesel prices fell more sharply to 1,856.1 won per liter, down 16.6 won. Diesel remained slightly more expensive than gasoline, though the price gap narrowed significantly. Domestic fuel prices have been declining since peaking on March 10 following the outbreak of the U.S.-Iran war, according to industry data. Dubai crude, the benchmark for imported oil in South Korea, rose by $34.6 from the previous week to $123.5 per barrel. International gasoline prices climbed $25.3 to $126.3, while international automotive diesel rose $37.5 to $176.5. An official from the refining industry said that changes in global oil prices typically take about two to three weeks to be reflected at domestic gas stations, but the recent introduction of the price cap has made it difficult to predict short-term price movements. Industry sources added that uncertainty among gas station operators is growing as most refiners have yet to announce whether settlement prices will be applied retroactively to Friday, the day the price cap took effect. 2026-03-14 14:10:08 -
PM Kim holds surprise meeting with Trump at White House SEOUL, March 14 (AJP) - South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok held a brief, surprise meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday, the Prime Minister’s Office said. Kim, who is visiting Washington, met Trump briefly and exchanged remarks after holding talks the previous day with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, according to the office. Details of the conversation were not disclosed. Observers believe the two may have discussed pending Korea-U.S. issues, including South Korea’s Special Act on Investment in the United States, which was passed by the National Assembly a day earlier. Trump is scheduled to visit China from March 31 to April 2 for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, raising the possibility that Kim and Trump also exchanged views on North Korea-related matters, officials said. 2026-03-14 09:59:39 -
Canada unlikely to split $40B submarine contract between Korea and Germany SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) - Canada is unlikely to divide its planned multibillion-dollar submarine procurement between South Korea and Germany despite speculation in local media, as analysts say a split contract would drive up costs and complicate naval operations. The idea of awarding portions of the project to both bidders — sometimes described as a “6+6” split procurement — has circulated in Canadian media as Ottawa weighs final proposals from a South Korean consortium and a rival bid led by Germany and Norway. But South Korean officials say the option is not under consideration. Kim Jung-kwan, South Korea’s minister of trade, industry and resources, told lawmakers at a parliamentary committee meeting Monday that Canadian officials had made it clear there were no plans to divide the order between multiple suppliers. Analysts broadly agree. One major obstacle is the program’s financial structure. The Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP) — valued at roughly $40 billion and aimed at replacing Canada’s aging Victoria-class submarine fleet — was designed on the assumption that a single supplier would deliver the entire fleet of up to 12 submarines. Splitting the order between two countries would require separate contracts, logistics networks and maintenance systems, likely pushing the overall cost significantly higher. Given the political sensitivity surrounding defense spending in Canada, analysts say Ottawa would face difficulty justifying such increases. Operational considerations pose another hurdle. Running two different submarine classes would complicate maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) operations as well as day-to-day fleet management. Separate supply chains, spare-parts inventories, training programs and shore infrastructure would be required for each platform, eroding economies of scale and raising life-cycle costs. The debate over a possible split comes as the CPSP reaches a key stage. Final bids for the project were submitted on March 2, narrowing the competition to two contenders: a South Korean consortium and Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). The Korean bid is led by Hanwha Ocean, with participation from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. A Hyundai Heavy Industries official said Hanwha Ocean handled the formal submission of the proposal documents. Ottawa is currently reviewing the bids, with a preferred bidder expected to be selected between May and June, followed by contract negotiations. Canadian officials have emphasized that the project is intended not merely as a procurement deal but as a long-term defense-industrial partnership. According to the Canadian government’s project guidelines, bidders must propose not only submarine construction but also long-term in-service support, supply-chain development and industrial partnerships with Canadian companies. Both competitors have therefore focused heavily on local industrial cooperation. TKMS has strengthened ties with Canadian firms in recent months. According to naval industry outlet Naval Today, the German shipbuilder recently signed a partnership with Canadian simulation and training company CAE to develop submarine crew training and maintenance support systems. The company is also working with Canadian aerospace manufacturer Magellan Aerospace to explore cooperation in heavy-torpedo production and maintenance, while proposing next-generation digital operational technologies through partnerships with artificial-intelligence firms. The Korean consortium has also broadened its industrial partnership proposals. Hanwha Ocean has reportedly outlined cooperation with Canadian companies in areas including steel, satellite communications, artificial intelligence and battery technology as part of its supply-chain development plan. Hyundai Motor Group has suggested potential collaboration within Canada’s hydrogen industry ecosystem. Industry observers say long-term sustainment capabilities will likely prove decisive in the competition. “Maintenance costs are just as important as the initial acquisition price for submarines,” one industry source said. “The ability to secure personnel and infrastructure for long-term operations and maintenance will be a crucial evaluation factor.” Some analysts say recent developments may slightly improve South Korea’s chances. Volkswagen Group, previously seen as a potential industrial partner supporting the German bid, recently said it would not participate in the Canadian submarine program. According to local media reports, Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said Tuesday that the company would not take part in the procurement project, effectively declining Ottawa’s request for additional industrial investment linked to the German proposal. The move, analysts say, could modestly strengthen the South Korean consortium’s position as Ottawa weighs the competing bids. 2026-03-12 17:11:46 -
Iran's 'Drones vs Patriots': If U.S. forces shift, who guards South Korea's skies? SEOUL, March 11 (AJP) - As U.S. air-defense assets are increasingly drawn into the widening war with Iran, South Korea faces an uncomfortable question: how much of its own air and missile defense can it sustain without American cover. Seoul has quietly acknowledged it cannot prevent U.S. tactical assets from being redeployed if Washington needs them elsewhere. The concern is not abstract. North Korea’s missile and drone tactics bear striking similarities to those now being tested in the Middle East. Iran’s campaign illustrates the emerging battlefield logic. Tehran is firing waves of cheap suicide drones and ballistic missiles that cost tens of thousands of dollars each. The United States and Israel are shooting them down with Patriot and THAAD interceptors costing hundreds of thousands — sometimes millions — per shot. It is a classic “cost-mass” war: low-cost weapons forcing defenders to expend far more expensive interceptors. Every military now faces the same question — how long it can afford to sustain that exchange. The current phase of the conflict began in late February when the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, missile bases and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command centers. Iran responded with large-scale retaliatory barrages — hundreds of ballistic and sea-launched missiles and roughly 2,000 drones targeting U.S. bases, Israel and energy infrastructure across the Gulf. Although the tempo of launches eased in March, the pattern has settled into a grinding contest of attrition. At the center of Iran’s strategy is the Shahed-136 loitering munition, a relatively simple drone costing between $20,000 and $50,000 that can be launched in swarms to overwhelm air defenses. These drones are paired with Fateh and Shahab ballistic missiles and low-flying cruise missiles designed to saturate and probe Western missile shields. Opposing them is a multilayered U.S.-led defense network built around Patriot PAC-3 and THAAD batteries, backed by fighter aircraft and long-range bombers striking launch sites and command nodes. Interception rates in some sectors have exceeded 90 percent — but the exchange is costly. For South Korea, the battlefield dynamics unfolding in the Middle East mirror a scenario military planners have long warned about. North Korea has repeatedly rehearsed what analysts call “compound saturation attacks” — launching ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones simultaneously to overwhelm defenses. Pyongyang has also unveiled short-range missiles believed capable of carrying tactical nuclear warheads. Greater Seoul is already exposed to long-range artillery. In a crisis it could also face salvos of dozens or even hundreds of missiles launched in quick succession. The Iran conflict has begun to reshape the defense calculus on the peninsula. The Washington Post, citing Pentagon officials, recently reported that Washington has begun moving elements of a THAAD battery out of South Korea to reinforce missile defense in the Middle East. The Pentagon is also examining Patriot and THAAD interceptor stocks across the Indo-Pacific as potential reserves for a prolonged campaign against Iran. The U.S. Defense Department has declined to comment on specific redeployments, but officials acknowledge that air-defense assets are being shifted between theaters as Iranian missile and drone attacks intensify. For Seoul, the message is blunt: in a prolonged conflict, American missile defenses will be deployed where they are needed most. South Korea’s answer to that strategic uncertainty is L-SAM, its first domestically developed upper-tier missile interceptor. Hanwha Aerospace declared the program complete last November, marking the first time the top layer of Korea’s missile-defense architecture — the Korea Air and Missile Defense system (KAMD) — has been filled with a fully indigenous weapon. L-SAM interceptors are designed to destroy incoming ballistic missiles at altitudes of roughly 50 to 60 kilometers using hit-to-kill technology. Only a handful of countries — including the United States and Israel — have independently developed the full combination of interceptor, long-range radar and battle-management systems required for such missions. “From a technology perspective, South Korea is clearly capable of developing systems like L-SAM,” said Choi Seung-woo, head of the North Korea Nuclear Response Policy Center at the Seoul Security Forum. But missile defense, he noted, must be viewed as a layered architecture rather than a single weapon system. “Air and missile defense runs from high altitude through midcourse to terminal interception,” Choi said. “Simply asking whether L-SAM can replace Patriot is far too narrow.” Building a layered shield Under the current KAMD structure, Patriot PAC-2/3 and the domestically developed Cheongung-II (M-SAM-II) cover interceptions up to roughly 40 kilometers. L-SAM takes over in the 50-to-60 kilometer band. Above that layer — between roughly 40 and 150 kilometers — South Korea still relies heavily on the U.S.-operated THAAD battery deployed on the peninsula. A follow-on system, L-SAM-II, now under development, is intended to extend South Korea’s indigenous intercept capability into that upper tier in the early 2030s. The Iran war, analysts say, underscores why such capabilities matter. “For interception performance, Cheongung-II already reaches the mid-90 percent range,” said Choi Gi-il, a military studies professor at Sangji University. “Together with L-SAM, South Korea has the ability to substitute for U.S. airpower in key areas. I don’t think talk of an air-defense vacuum is justified.” He added that L-SAM should be compared not with Patriot but with higher-tier systems such as THAAD or Israel’s Arrow interceptor. “Viewed that way, South Korea is not in a position where it needs to panic about defending against North Korea.” Still, the longer the Iran war drags on, the more it exposes a structural reality of the U.S. alliance system. American strategic assets — Patriots, THAAD batteries and interceptor stockpiles — are global resources that can be shifted wherever Washington deems the threat most urgent. For Seoul, that makes the drive toward an indigenous missile shield less a matter of prestige than strategic insurance. With L-SAM now operational and follow-on systems under development, South Korea is gradually building the kind of multilayered air-defense architecture that would allow it to hold its own skies — if allied interceptors are needed elsewhere. 2026-03-11 17:58:23 -
Hanwha showcases 'Korean THAAD' L-SAM at Belgium defense expo SEOUL, March 11 (AJP) - Hanwha is set to showcase its long-range surface-to-air missile interceptor, known as the “Korean THAAD,” at the BEDEX defense exhibition in Belgium as it seeks to expand its presence in the European defense market. Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems said Tuesday they are participating in BEDEX, a defense exhibition taking place in Brussels from March 12 to 14, marking the first time a South Korean company has taken part in the event. The exhibition, being held in Belgium for the first time, brings together major global defense companies including Rheinmetall, KNDS and Raytheon, alongside other European and international defense firms. Hanwha said its early participation in the exhibition — held in a country that hosts the headquarters of NATO — is part of a broader strategy to accelerate its push into the Western European defense market. Belgium is currently prioritizing the development of a multilayered air defense system as a key national defense objective. In response, Hanwha Aerospace is displaying its long-range surface-to-air missile (L-SAM) interceptor and launcher, while Hanwha Systems is presenting its multifunction radar (MFR), the laser-based air defense weapon system Cheongwang, and a laser-equipped armored vehicle currently under development. The L-SAM, often referred to as the Korean version of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, is designed to intercept ballistic missiles at altitudes above 40 kilometers using a hit-to-kill method. The system completed development in 2024 and entered mass production last year. Because it can intercept fast-falling medium-range ballistic missiles from high altitudes, the system enables rapid responses to incoming threats. Hanwha also plans to emphasize that it can support swift deployment tailored to European requirements, as countries across the region accelerate efforts to strengthen their air defense networks. “Belgium is a key hub for European security, hosting NATO headquarters and major institutions of the European Union,” a Hanwha official said. “Building on our status as a strategic partner to NATO established through exports such as the K9 self-propelled howitzer, we aim to promote Hanwha’s air defense and ground firepower capabilities in the European market and explore cooperation opportunities to help strengthen the defense capabilities of NATO member states.” 2026-03-11 16:24:16 -
USFK diverts air-defense assets to Middle East as Freedom Shield scales back SEOUL, March 10 (AJP) - The United States has redeployed portions of its air-defense architecture from South Korea to the Middle East as tensions with Iran escalate, coinciding with this year's scaled-back Freedom Shield (FS) joint exercise. According to reports from the Washington Post and real-time flight tracking data, the Pentagon has shifted elements of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system out of South Korea while also drawing Patriot interceptor units from the Indo-Pacific theater to counter rising threats of Iranian drone and ballistic missile attacks. Between late February and March 10, 11 C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft and two C-5 Galaxy heavy airlifters were tracked departing Osan Air Base, a key U.S. Air Force logistics hub south of Seoul. The C-5 — the largest transport aircraft in the U.S. inventory — is capable of carrying an entire Patriot PAC-3 missile battery in a single lift, suggesting that air-defense equipment may have been among the cargo moved out of the peninsula. U.S. officials have described the redeployments as precautionary steps designed to reinforce defenses in the Gulf region should Iran retaliate against U.S. and allied forces following recent strikes. South Korean officials have effectively acknowledged the movement of assets while stressing that such decisions ultimately rest with Washington. President Lee Jae Myung said Tuesday that while Seoul expects U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) to remain committed to maintaining stability on the peninsula, it cannot fully dictate how U.S. military assets are employed globally. “Given that USFK contributes to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, we naturally hope its capabilities remain focused here,” Lee said. “However, it is also a reality that we cannot completely prevent the United States from relocating certain defensive systems according to its military needs.” Lee sought to ease concerns about potential gaps in air defense at a time when North Korea continues to advance its missile and nuclear programs. “Considering our defense spending, the development of our defense industry and our international military standing, there is no reason for concern about national security,” he said. The redeployment coincides with the launch of Freedom Shield 2026, the annual combined command-post and field exercise between the U.S. and South Korea, which runs through March 19 and involves roughly 18,000 personnel. This year’s drills place particular emphasis on verifying conditions required for the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) from Washington to Seoul — a process the allies are expected to target for completion by 2028, potentially aligning with the current terms of Presidents Lee and Donald Trump. The allies are currently conducting the Full Operational Capability (FOC) assessment, the second stage of a three-step transition process. If the FOC evaluation is approved, the alliance will move to the final Full Mission Capability (FMC) phase in 2027 before the formal transfer of operational control. At the same time, the Lee administration has shifted the structure of Freedom Shield exercises. Rather than concentrating on large-scale Field Training Exercises (FTX), the military has moved toward a more dispersed, year-round training model. This year’s FTX component has been reduced to 22 drills, down sharply from 51 last year, a change that analysts say could help ease tensions on the peninsula ahead of renewed diplomatic engagement between Washington and Pyongyang. President Trump is scheduled to visit China from March 31 to April 2, a trip that could reopen discussions on North Korea. Some military analysts say the redeployment of U.S. defensive systems is unlikely to significantly weaken deterrence against North Korea. Jung Kyeong-woon, a research fellow at the Korea Association of Military Studies, said the assets moved out of the peninsula likely involve reserve equipment and munitions rather than operational frontline units. Similarly, Koh Yu-hwan, former president of the Korea Institute for National Unification, said Pyongyang currently appears focused on signaling rather than escalation. “The fact that Kim Yo-jong issued a statement protesting the exercises suggests the North is reacting to U.S. military pressure rather than preparing offensive action,” Koh said. “Even if minor logistical gaps arise, the core deterrent remains the ROK-U.S. alliance.” North Korea has nonetheless responded sharply to the drills. Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of leader Kim Jong-un, warned that the “provocative and aggressive war simulations” conducted by the allies could lead to “unimaginably terrible consequences.” Both USFK and the South Korean military declined to confirm specific details of asset movements, citing operational security. They stressed that the alliance maintains what they described as an “ironclad combined defense posture” to ensure there are no security gaps on the peninsula. 2026-03-10 16:38:03 -
Travel time suggests USFK assets may join Iran nuclear raid SEOUL, March 09 (AJP) - As Tehran remains defiant with the war entering its second week, intelligence signals suggest the United States and Israel are preparing for a potential special forces raid on Iranian nuclear facilities — an operation that could involve key air defense assets stationed in South Korea. Defense authorities in Seoul and Washington stressed Monday that the combined defense posture on the Korean Peninsula remains “ironclad,” regardless of any tactical redeployment. Major international outlets including Bloomberg and Axios reported Monday that the U.S. Department of Defense and the Israeli military are finalizing plans for the latter phase of “Operation Epic Fury.” The objective would be to secure or destroy roughly 450 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent believed to be hidden inside underground tunnels in Isfahan, Iran. Uranium enriched to 60 percent — considered near weapons-grade — can be further refined to weapons-grade levels of 90 percent within weeks. Experts estimate the amount in question could be sufficient to produce as many as 11 nuclear bombs. Most of Iran’s highly enriched uranium is believed to remain in underground facilities within the Isfahan nuclear complex, which was heavily damaged during U.S.-Israeli strikes last year. Intelligence assessments suggest portions of the stockpile may have been dispersed to the Fordow and Natanz nuclear facilities. The strategic shift toward possible ground operations reflects growing military assessments that airstrikes alone may not be sufficient to eliminate nuclear material buried deep underground. U.S. President Donald Trump hinted at such a possibility during a recent briefing. “We haven’t talked about it. At some point maybe we will. It would be a great thing. Right now we’re just decimating them,” Trump said when asked about the possibility of deploying ground troops into Iran, leaving open the prospect that the air campaign could eventually expand into a limited ground operation. Strategic airlift activity detected in Korea Signs of potential preparation for such an operation have been detected as far away as the Korean Peninsula. Six C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft and two C-5 Galaxy strategic airlifters departed Osan Air Base between Feb. 28 and March 7, according to flight tracking data. While the aircraft’s final destinations were not disclosed, flight times exceeding 14 hours suggest they were bound either for the U.S. mainland or staging areas in the Middle East. The movements have drawn particular attention because the C-5 Galaxy is the only aircraft capable of transporting an entire Patriot PAC-3 missile defense battery in a single lift. Flight tracking data indicates the aircraft likely traveled through Anchorage, Alaska, with potential onward staging points including Ramstein Air Base in Germany or Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean — both key hubs used for Middle East operations. Military experts say such redeployments could indicate that U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) air defense units — widely regarded as among the most experienced in the world — are being repositioned to help shield allied special forces from potential Iranian ballistic missile retaliation during any ground raid. Defense experts urge caution Analysts cautioned that the movements should not immediately be interpreted as a weakening of defenses on the Korean Peninsula. “Of the eight Patriot batteries operated by USFK, only those positioned at core strategic sites are actively deployed, while others remain in reserve storage,” said Jung Kyeong-woon, a research fellow at the Korea Association of Military Studies. “If the assets moved were drawn from these reserve units, it would be difficult to conclude that current interception readiness has been reduced,” Jung said. He added that the U.S. Central Command continuously monitors Iranian missile inventories and the consumption rates of allied interceptors to determine where global air defense assets are most urgently required. “Such decisions are typically made after assessing that redeployment will not compromise deterrence levels in other regions, including the Korean Peninsula,” he said. Both USFK and South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense declined to comment on specific operational movements. “For reasons of operational security, we do not comment on the movement or relocation of specific assets,” a USFK spokesperson said. The spokesperson added that USFK “remains focused on maintaining a robust and ready combat posture on the Korean Peninsula” and reiterated that the U.S. commitment to the defense of South Korea “remains ironclad.” A Ministry of National Defense official similarly said it would be inappropriate for Seoul to comment on the internal force operations of USFK. “South Korea and the U.S. will continue close communication and coordination to maintain a combined defense posture that contributes to peace and stability in the region,” the official said. 2026-03-09 16:16:13 -
UAE airlifts Korean MSAM II interceptors as Gulf tensions rise SEOUL, March 09 (AJP) - South Korea has delivered more than 30 interceptor missiles for its Cheongung-II (M-SAM II) medium-range surface-to-air missile system to the United Arab Emirates ahead of schedule, as the Gulf state seeks to bolster its air defenses amid rising tensions with Iran. According to government sources, the UAE had requested early delivery of additional Cheongung-II batteries. Seoul reportedly found the request difficult to meet due to existing supply commitments to other buyers such as Saudi Arabia and Iraq, as well as logistical challenges in transporting military equipment to an active conflict zone. The UAE instead asked South Korea to accelerate shipments of interceptor missiles as its stockpiles were being depleted. Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, a prominent Emirati political scientist widely regarded as an unofficial adviser to the UAE president, wrote on X on Monday that Seoul had swiftly supplied the interceptors to help reinforce the country’s missile defense capabilities. “Thank you, South Korea, for urgently sending 30 M-SAM2 interceptor missiles to strengthen our missile defense system against Iranian aggression,” Abdulla said. He added that the missiles were transported in two batches using C-17 military transport aircraft. “South Korea quickly transported the interceptors twice using C-17 aircraft. The Korean missile defense system is already operational in the UAE,” Abdulla wrote, adding that “a friend in need is a friend indeed.” South Korea’s Cheongung-II, also known as M-SAM II, is a domestically developed medium-range air defense system designed to intercept incoming ballistic missiles and aircraft. A single Cheongung-II battery can fire up to 32 interceptor missiles. The additional interceptors supplied to the UAE are expected to be deployed immediately to replenish stocks amid ongoing missile exchanges involving Iran, according to reports. The UAE signed a $3.5 billion deal in January 2022 to acquire the Cheongung-II system from South Korea. Of the 10 batteries contracted, two have already been deployed and are operational in the country. Those batteries reportedly achieved an interception success rate of about 96 percent during recent missile and drone attacks linked to Iran targeting U.S. and Israeli interests in the region. The system has been used to intercept ballistic missiles and drones as the conflict involving Iran, the U.S. and Israel spreads across the Middle East, demonstrating its combat effectiveness. Each Cheongung-II battery costs more than 400 billion won ($268 million), while a single interceptor missile is estimated to cost around 1.5 billion won, roughly one-third the price of a U.S. Patriot interceptor. A Hanwha Aerospace official declined to comment, saying, “We cannot confirm details at this time.” Analysts say that if the Middle East conflict continues to escalate, demand for air defense systems and munitions could surge, potentially boosting global interest in Korean weapons systems that have demonstrated operational performance. 2026-03-09 15:48:05 -
Over 130 IAF aircraft gather to demonstrate full-spectrum combat readiness in Pokhran POKHRAN, INDIA, March 01 (AJP) - The Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully conducted its massive triennial firepower demonstration, 'Exercise Vayushakti-24', at the Pokhran Field Firing Range near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The exercise underscored the IAF's seamless combat readiness and its ability to deliver lethal strikes with surgical precision. The event was graced by the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Hon'ble President Droupadi Murmu, along with senior military leadership and civil dignitaries. The exercise operated under the IAF's core doctrine: "Achook, Abhedya aur Sateek" (Infallible, Invincible, and Precise). This year’s Vayushakti stood out by moving beyond a simple display of ordnance. For the first time, the exercise was conducted with a defined operational storyline, simulating a live combat theatre. This allowed for a more realistic demonstration of how air power is integrated into modern, high-intensity warfare. The exercise featured a formidable fleet of over 130 aircraft, including frontline fighters such as the Rafale, Su-30 MKI, Mirage-2000, MiG-29, Jaguar, and Hawk. Support assets like the C-17, C-130J, and C-295 transport aircraft, along with Apache and Chinook helicopters, played vital roles. The simultaneous precision strikes by the French-made Rafale and the Russian-origin Su-30 MKI highlighted the IAF's diverse and versatile aerial capabilities. The IAF demonstrated its long-range strike capabilities using advanced air-to-ground precision-guided munitions. A key highlight was the integrated air defence showcase, featuring the Akash and Spyder surface-to-air missile systems, working in tandem with Indian Army air defence assets to neutralize simulated aerial threats. The exercise also emphasized jointmanship and special operations. Garud Commandos and Para SF teams performed high-stakes insertions and simulated urban interventions. Rapid response missions, including assault landings at Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) and casualty evacuations (CASEVAC), were executed with clinical efficiency. Spanning both day and night, Vayushakti-24 proved the IAF’s ability to maintain 24/7 dominance over the battlespace. As darkness fell, aircraft equipped with advanced night-vision and targeting systems struck targets with pinpoint accuracy, illuminating the desert sky and demonstrating all-weather operational superiority. An IAF official stated, "Vayushakti-24 is a reaffirmation of our sovereign deterrence and our commitment to national security. By combining jointmanship with cutting-edge technology, we are fully prepared for the challenges of future warfare." Local analysts noted that the exercise not only validated the operational effectiveness of indigenous weapon systems under the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India) initiative but also sent a strong strategic signal of regional stability and deterrence. 2026-03-01 09:46:27