ANKARA

South Korea said Monday that it has successfully upgraded its Cheongung-I air defense system to the Cheongung-II system, which is capable of intercepting ballistic missiles as well as aircraft, a local media report said.

The first batch of the upgraded system has been deployed and is expected to be fully installed and operational across the military by 2027, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), South Korea’s state arms procurement agency.

The system upgrade is part of Seoul's broader project aimed at strengthening the country's air defense capabilities against North Korean missile threats.

The Cheongung-II system, a core asset of South Korea's multilayered air and missile defense system, can help significantly cut costs compared to the earlier version.

The Cheongung-II is an upgraded version of the Cheongung-I and is designed to intercept not only aircraft but also ballistic missiles at mid-altitudes

The system has also been procured by the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.