On the outskirts of an industrial city in South Korea, workers at a sprawling weapons factory were testing the final stages of a newly built surface-to-air defense system that could eventually be deployed to Ukraine.
Long-standing domestic policy prevents Seoul from sending weapons to active conflict zones, but since its spy agency last month accused the nuclear-armed North of sending thousands of troops to help Moscow fight Kiev. However, South Korea has warned that this could change course.
If so, likely top of the list for Ukraine would be the “Cheunging” — or SkyArrow — air defense system, a domestically developed Iron Dome-style interception shield that AFP reported Thursday. Seen during a special tour of the Space Factory. The southern city of Changwon.
As the tune of Beethoven’s Fur Elise blared over the house speakers, experienced welders worked on the large cylinders that would form part of the Inceptor system, which is defensive in nature—though Hanva would also develop an attack-focused variant. is
“The Cheongyang system can be considered similar to the American Patriot missile system,” said Jung Sung-young, a senior manager at Hanwha Aerospace, South Korea’s largest defense contractor.
Ukraine relies on Western air defense systems, particularly Patriots, to defend itself against Russian missile barrages — and is calling for more deliveries.
Washington said in June that it would prioritize deliveries to Kiev ahead of other countries placing orders.
But experts say whether South Korea, which is technically at war with the nuclear-armed North and whose weapons production has long been overlooked by Western arms industries, will To join in, it could potentially make a huge difference.
“As a divided nation, we have systematically established and enforced standards at the national level, from development to quality control of these weapons systems,” Jung said.
“Our product quality, capacity and manufacturing supply chain are quite competitive compared to other countries,” he added.
President Yoon Seok-yul said earlier this month that whether or not South Korea decided to directly help Ukraine would depend on “North Korea’s level of involvement,” adding that Seoul “provided weapons.” Not ruling out the possibility of doing so.”
Yun said that if South Korea were to supply weapons, the initial shipment would be of a defensive nature.
War preparation
Han Kwon-hee of the Korea Association of Defense Industries told AFP that Kiev urgently needs more air defenses to stop a sustained barrage of missiles targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and urban areas. .
“Retaliatory operations require stability in the rear areas, which is why Kiev has carried out drone strikes inside Russia, including Moscow,” Hahn explained.
“They will help Ukraine deter Russian aggression by intercepting drones and missiles flying deep into its territory.” “A big boost for Kiev,” he said, “along with the U.S. move to allow the use of long-range U.S. missiles against targets inside Russia.”
The South has been ready for war since the end of the 1950-53 war with the North, and while Hanwha Aerospace, South Korea’s largest defense contractor, was once seen by analysts as a retreat to focus on land-based weapons. As seen, now it is in comparison. high demand.
AFP saw a wide range of weapons moving along the assembly lines at the company’s sprawling Changwon factory, from armored infantry vehicles to surface-to-air missile systems that could be manufactured. were designed to intercept missiles.
Rising geopolitical tensions in Europe benefited the South Korean company, which saw its operating profit jump 450 percent to $343.3 million in the latest quarter.
It has signed major arms deals with countries like Poland and Romania, including the export of K9 howitzers and Chunmoo missile systems.
Arms Exports
Seoul has long had ambitions to join the ranks of the world’s biggest arms exporters — aiming to become the fourth largest after the United States, Russia and France — which is now possible, given the industry’s Research suggests.
It has already sold 155mm artillery shells to Washington — but with an “end-user” agreement that means the United States will be the military that uses the munitions.
Experts say this allows the US to supply its missiles to Kiev.
Hanwha’s other weapons offering that could change the balance of the war in Ukraine is its Chunmu guided missile system, experts said.
“With a maximum range of 290 kilometers (180 miles), the Chunmo could hit targets in Pyongyang if launched from the border area in the south,” said Choi Gil, a professor of military studies at Sungji University.
“What Ukraine urgently needs to turn the war in its favor are offensive weapons such as Chinmu missiles and K9 howitzers, which are capable of inflicting significant damage on the enemy,” Choi added.
“If North Korea’s direct involvement in the war escalates, [Seoul] May consider sending lethal weapons in addition to defensive weapons.
