In order to strengthen defense against Iranian drones and missiles, Middle Eastern countries are lining up to purchase South Korean K-SAM surface-to-air missiles.

According to reports, the Iran conflict is driving Middle Eastern countries to turn towards South Korea for lower-cost air defense systems, opening up new opportunities for South Korea to expand its weapons export market beyond Europe. The focus of the market is on South Korea's domestically produced medium-range surface-to-air missile system, "Cheongung." With Gulf countries strengthening their defenses to counter Iran's drone and missile attacks, "Cheongung" is seen as a viable alternative to the American-made "Patriot" system. For manufacturers Hanwha Aerospace and LIG Nex1, the core selling point is cost-effectiveness: its performance is said to be similar to the approximately $4 million "Patriot" PAC-3 interceptor missile, but at a quarter of the price. "Middle Eastern countries are now lining up to purchase Korean missiles," said South Korean Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki to the media. "They are ordering weapons from South Korea because of its accuracy - with a success rate of over 90% in intercepting and destroying ballistic missiles."