LIG Nex1 wins deal to sell Iraq $2.7 bn worth of missile systems

LIG Nex1’s launch scene of Cheongung-II.

South Korea’s LIG Nex1 Co. said on Friday that it won a 3.71 trillion won ($2.7 billion) order from Iraq to export its mid-range surface-to-air missile defense systems.

The company said in a press release that it signed a contract with the Iraqi Ministry of Defense to supply its Cheongung II or KM-SAM II system. The system in the contract includes four launcher vehicles, each equipped with eight launch tubes, a multifunction radar, and an engagement control station.

Cheongung II is designed to intercept ballistic missiles and aircraft flying at altitudes of up to 40 kilometers. It features a powerful warhead capable of directly destroying enemy missiles. The system employs an advanced cold launch system and side thrust technology for rapid adjustments during the launch’s final stage.

The announcement follows LIG Nex1 winning a deal to export batteries of the missile systems to Saudi Arabia in February 2024.