Hanwha, Edge partnering on UAE's integrated air defence
A launcher for L-SAM seen during preparations for South Korea's 76th anniversary of Armed Forces Day in September 2024. (SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
South Korea's Hanwha Systems and the United Arab Emirates' (UAE's) Edge group announced on 17 September that they have signed a term sheet agreement outlining the construction of an integrated air-defence network in the UAE that includes the L-SAM system.
In a statement, Edge said the term sheet “outlines the direction of co-operation related to the UAE's integrated air-defence requirements” including the long-range L-SAM system, additional medium-range L-SAM capabilities, and Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers.
The UAE announced in November 2021 it had ordered an unspecified number of M-SAM Block II systems. The delivery of at least one was confirmed in May 2025 when launchers for the system were displayed when Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, Dubai crown prince's and national defence minister, visited Al-Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi. South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported in June 2026 that a third M-SAM system had been delivered.
The UAE announced a USD804 million contract for Chunmoo launchers and missiles during the IDEX defence show in February 2021 and a launcher was displayed at its Land Forces Command the following month.
The L-SAM is not currently in service but Hanwha Aerospace announced in November 2025 that contracts have been awarded to mass produce the system for the South Korean military.
Edge described the term sheet agreement as a “step towards a long-term strategic partnership between the two companies, expanding co-operation beyond individual weapon systems to strengthen the UAE's air-defence capabilities and local defence industrial base”.
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