Attack on UAE nuclear plant raises profile of Korean-made air defense system

The United Arab Emirates' missile defense system, composed of Korea's Cheongung-II missiles alongside U.S. Patriot and Thaad interceptors, successfully defeated a drone attack targeting the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant on Sunday, raising the profile of the Korean missile system that has gained traction following its first combat deployment in the ongoing Iran war.

The news comes as multiple countries, including Qatar, Kuwait and Switzerland, have shown interest in adopting the Cheongung-II, drawn by its operational performance in the Gulf.

The UAE Ministry of Defense posted on X on May 17 that "UAE air defense systems intercepted three UAVs that entered the country from the western border direction.” The ministry said that two of the UAVs were successfully intercepted, while the third struck an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the Al Dhafra Region.  

The Barakah plant was built by a Korea Electric Power Corporation-led consortium, which was awarded the contract in 2009 for what was Korea's first overseas nuclear power project. No casualties were reported from Sunday's strike.  

The strike caused a fire but did not affect radiation safety or plant operations, the UAE's Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation confirmed.

The UAE did not officially attribute the attack, saying that “investigations are underway to determine the source of the attacks.”

Iran has denied carrying out operations against the UAE in recent days, although Tehran-aligned forces have conducted repeated strikes against Gulf states since hostilities resumed in early May following the breakdown of a U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreed on April 8.

The Cheongung-II, built by LIG D&A as the prime contractor with Hanwha Systems and Hanwha Aerospace as subcontractors, has been one of the central pillars of the UAE's multilayered air defense network alongside U.S.-made Patriot and Thaad systems.  

The Korean interceptor uses a hit-to-kill mechanism to neutralize cruise missiles and other low-altitude threats at heights below 20 kilometers (12.4 miles). Its capability to fire interceptor missiles in rapid succession across a 360-degree arc makes it effective against swarm attacks with multiple simultaneous targets.

“It was developed to intercept ballistic missiles and other airborne threats,” said a Korean defense industry official. “Ballistic missiles travel at supersonic speeds, but if the radar can detect an object in a similar way and it is moving at a comparable speed, interception is theoretically possible.”

The UAE signed a 4-trillion-won contract for the Cheongung-II in January 2022. 

UAE air defenses have faced a sustained barrage since Iran's first drone and missile waves against the country in late February 2026. As of early May, the UAE Ministry of Defense reported its air defenses had intercepted more than 2,200 drones, more than 500 ballistic missiles and over two dozen cruise missiles since the start of the conflict.  

Targets have included the U.S. military base at Al Dhafra, Dubai International Airport, the Fujairah Petroleum Industries Zone and other critical infrastructure.

LIG D&A said during a conference call on May 7 that its recent combat use is having a positive impact on overseas marketing, according to the defense industry on Monday.

“The real-world validation effect from the U.S.-Iran war is serving as a global marketing asset for Cheongung-II,” said LIG D&A. “Combat data showing 29 successful interceptions out of 30 launches has led to new inquiries from numerous countries in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and South America.”

Saudi Arabia requested the expedited delivery of its 4.25 trillion won ($2.84 billion) contract signed in February 2024 to address critical stockpile depletions. Qatar shifted from preliminary interest to requesting early delivery slots as part of a formal procurement push in March 2026, while Kuwait was identified by industry analysts as a key candidate for near-term adoption of the Cheongung-II. 

"Despite recent progress toward a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, demand for air defense missiles continues to rise," said Lee Han-gyeol of Kiwoom Securities in a report on May 8. "Interest in the Cheongung-II missile defense system has increased significantly, particularly in the Middle East, which has been at the center of the conflict. As a result, inquiries from several regional countries, including Qatar and Kuwait, are reportedly increasing."

BY KIM MIN-YOUNG [kim.minyoung5@joongang.co.kr]