LIG Nex1 to Lead Cheongung III Surface-to-Air Missile Project as South Korea Refines Missile Defense Architecture
{loadposition bannertop}
{loadposition sidebarpub}
On July 29, 2025, South Korea confirmed a significant shift in its missile defense architecture as LIG Nex1 was selected to lead the development of the next-generation Cheongung III medium-range surface-to-air missile system. The decision, reported by Maeil Business Newspaper, follows a fiercely contested evaluation process involving LIG Nex1 and two affiliates of the Hanwha Group. This development marks a critical milestone in the Republic of Korea’s efforts to secure and enhance its national missile defense layer while reinforcing the country’s position as a global player in cutting-edge defense technologies. With heightened missile threats in Northeast Asia, the Cheongung III project represents not just an upgrade, but a transformative leap in strategic capabilities for Korea and its allies.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
By securing the lead role in the Cheongung III program, LIG Nex1 not only reinforces its status as Korea’s foremost missile system integrator but also anchors South Korea’s broader vision for a self-reliant and export-ready defense sector (Picture source: LIG Nex1)
Cheongung III is being developed as a medium-range surface-to-air missile system capable of intercepting incoming threats at altitudes twice as high as its predecessor, Cheongung II. Designed to counter both ballistic and aerodynamic targets, the new system features a modular architecture comprising an engagement control station (ECS), a multi-function radar (MFR), advanced interceptor missiles, and mobile launchers. These components are integrated into a unified fire-control network to ensure rapid threat detection and engagement in complex operational environments. This system is expected to become a core element of Korea’s layered air defense network, filling the gap between short-range systems like KM-SAM Block I and long-range strategic platforms such as the L-SAM or imported THAAD systems.
LIG Nex1’s selection for key elements of the program, including system integration, ECS, and interceptor development, reflects its sustained excellence and deep experience from the previous M-SAM II project. Having led critical components in Cheongung II, LIG Nex1 has been pivotal in advancing indigenous missile technologies since the mid-2000s, when Korea began transferring and evolving Russian missile concepts into national platforms. The new Cheongung III development builds directly upon this foundation, following a similar division of labor as before, with Hanwha Aerospace likely to retain the launcher subsystem and Hanwha Systems expected to supply the radar. Despite Hanwha Systems’ ambitions to capture more control, particularly over integration and command systems, its proposals were outscored by LIG Nex1 during evaluations conducted by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), preserving LIG Nex1’s leadership role.
What sets Cheongung III apart is its enhanced performance envelope. With a higher engagement altitude and improved speed and accuracy, it is poised to match or exceed systems such as the Israeli David’s Sling or Europe’s SAMP/T NG in capability, while offering better cost efficiency for Korea and future export clients. The leap in interception range mirrors the evolution seen in the U.S. Patriot PAC-2 to PAC-3 MSE systems, reflecting the maturation of Korea’s missile defense ecosystem. The system’s digital backbone and networked targeting capabilities also ensure interoperability with allied platforms, allowing for seamless integration into multinational defense frameworks, an increasingly critical requirement given the transnational nature of modern air and missile threats.
Strategically, the implications of Cheongung III’s development are considerable. Positioned at the heart of Korea’s mid-tier missile defense shield, the system will enhance national security in the face of expanding North Korean missile capabilities, while also serving as a deterrent against regional pressure from China and Russia. By extending the defensive reach of South Korea’s military, it improves the survivability of national command assets, critical infrastructure, and civilian centers. Furthermore, once fully integrated, the system could serve as a model for allied deployments, especially in Europe where concerns over missile threats from Russia continue to rise. The modular and scalable nature of Cheongung III makes it adaptable for deployment in NATO-aligned states seeking credible medium-range missile defense, particularly against hypersonic or maneuvering reentry threats.
The Cheongung III project is backed by one of the most ambitious budgetary allocations in South Korea’s recent defense planning, following the investment pattern set by M-SAM II. While exact financial figures remain undisclosed, the program is understood to span several billion won, covering multi-year development and potential serial production. The latest evaluations from DAPA confirmed LIG Nex1 as the prime contractor for core areas of the program. Hanwha Group’s attempt to reshape the industry’s internal balance, particularly through Hanwha Systems’ bid for system integration and ECS, ultimately fell short, allowing LIG Nex1 to maintain control of the most critical components. This continuity ensures stability in the development pipeline and avoids the risks associated with redistributing responsibilities across competing firms at such a sensitive phase.
By securing the lead role in the Cheongung III program, LIG Nex1 not only reinforces its status as Korea’s foremost missile system integrator but also anchors South Korea’s broader vision for a self-reliant and export-ready defense sector. The system’s advanced features, scalable design, and strategic alignment with allied security needs position it as a key enabler of both national defense and global interoperability. As missile threats evolve and the demand for sophisticated air defense solutions grows, Cheongung III emerges as a central pillar in the future architecture of regional and transatlantic security.
{loadposition bannertop}
{loadposition sidebarpub}
On July 29, 2025, South Korea confirmed a significant shift in its missile defense architecture as LIG Nex1 was selected to lead the development of the next-generation Cheongung III medium-range surface-to-air missile system. The decision, reported by Maeil Business Newspaper, follows a fiercely contested evaluation process involving LIG Nex1 and two affiliates of the Hanwha Group. This development marks a critical milestone in the Republic of Korea’s efforts to secure and enhance its national missile defense layer while reinforcing the country’s position as a global player in cutting-edge defense technologies. With heightened missile threats in Northeast Asia, the Cheongung III project represents not just an upgrade, but a transformative leap in strategic capabilities for Korea and its allies.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
By securing the lead role in the Cheongung III program, LIG Nex1 not only reinforces its status as Korea’s foremost missile system integrator but also anchors South Korea’s broader vision for a self-reliant and export-ready defense sector (Picture source: LIG Nex1)
Cheongung III is being developed as a medium-range surface-to-air missile system capable of intercepting incoming threats at altitudes twice as high as its predecessor, Cheongung II. Designed to counter both ballistic and aerodynamic targets, the new system features a modular architecture comprising an engagement control station (ECS), a multi-function radar (MFR), advanced interceptor missiles, and mobile launchers. These components are integrated into a unified fire-control network to ensure rapid threat detection and engagement in complex operational environments. This system is expected to become a core element of Korea’s layered air defense network, filling the gap between short-range systems like KM-SAM Block I and long-range strategic platforms such as the L-SAM or imported THAAD systems.
LIG Nex1’s selection for key elements of the program, including system integration, ECS, and interceptor development, reflects its sustained excellence and deep experience from the previous M-SAM II project. Having led critical components in Cheongung II, LIG Nex1 has been pivotal in advancing indigenous missile technologies since the mid-2000s, when Korea began transferring and evolving Russian missile concepts into national platforms. The new Cheongung III development builds directly upon this foundation, following a similar division of labor as before, with Hanwha Aerospace likely to retain the launcher subsystem and Hanwha Systems expected to supply the radar. Despite Hanwha Systems’ ambitions to capture more control, particularly over integration and command systems, its proposals were outscored by LIG Nex1 during evaluations conducted by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), preserving LIG Nex1’s leadership role.
What sets Cheongung III apart is its enhanced performance envelope. With a higher engagement altitude and improved speed and accuracy, it is poised to match or exceed systems such as the Israeli David’s Sling or Europe’s SAMP/T NG in capability, while offering better cost efficiency for Korea and future export clients. The leap in interception range mirrors the evolution seen in the U.S. Patriot PAC-2 to PAC-3 MSE systems, reflecting the maturation of Korea’s missile defense ecosystem. The system’s digital backbone and networked targeting capabilities also ensure interoperability with allied platforms, allowing for seamless integration into multinational defense frameworks, an increasingly critical requirement given the transnational nature of modern air and missile threats.
Strategically, the implications of Cheongung III’s development are considerable. Positioned at the heart of Korea’s mid-tier missile defense shield, the system will enhance national security in the face of expanding North Korean missile capabilities, while also serving as a deterrent against regional pressure from China and Russia. By extending the defensive reach of South Korea’s military, it improves the survivability of national command assets, critical infrastructure, and civilian centers. Furthermore, once fully integrated, the system could serve as a model for allied deployments, especially in Europe where concerns over missile threats from Russia continue to rise. The modular and scalable nature of Cheongung III makes it adaptable for deployment in NATO-aligned states seeking credible medium-range missile defense, particularly against hypersonic or maneuvering reentry threats.
The Cheongung III project is backed by one of the most ambitious budgetary allocations in South Korea’s recent defense planning, following the investment pattern set by M-SAM II. While exact financial figures remain undisclosed, the program is understood to span several billion won, covering multi-year development and potential serial production. The latest evaluations from DAPA confirmed LIG Nex1 as the prime contractor for core areas of the program. Hanwha Group’s attempt to reshape the industry’s internal balance, particularly through Hanwha Systems’ bid for system integration and ECS, ultimately fell short, allowing LIG Nex1 to maintain control of the most critical components. This continuity ensures stability in the development pipeline and avoids the risks associated with redistributing responsibilities across competing firms at such a sensitive phase.
By securing the lead role in the Cheongung III program, LIG Nex1 not only reinforces its status as Korea’s foremost missile system integrator but also anchors South Korea’s broader vision for a self-reliant and export-ready defense sector. The system’s advanced features, scalable design, and strategic alignment with allied security needs position it as a key enabler of both national defense and global interoperability. As missile threats evolve and the demand for sophisticated air defense solutions grows, Cheongung III emerges as a central pillar in the future architecture of regional and transatlantic security.
