Hanwha Aerospace has won a 225.4-billion won ($153 million) follow-on contract to produce additional Cheongeom air-to-ground missiles for South Korea’s light-armed helicopters.
The award expands upon last year’s 162.3-billion won ($110 million) initial order, raising total program spending to 387.7 billion won ($263 million). Deliveries under both contracts will run until 2028.
Completed in 2022 under the Agency for Defense Development, the Cheongeom is the nation’s first homegrown air-to-ground precision missile, with Hanwha responsible for building the prototype.
The missile features a dual-mode seeker for day/night capability and a wired datalink that enables in-flight retargeting and provides strong protection against jamming. South Korea also intends to integrate the weapon into amphibious assault helicopter platforms, potentially driving additional acquisition.
Hanwha is working to extend the missile’s versatility, modifying it for ground-based manned and unmanned systems, and developing the Cheongeom-L, a smaller, lighter version meant for deployment on infantry fighting vehicles, tanks, or directly with infantry units.
South Korea’s broader pursuit of precision strike modernization continues, as the country enhances its air-to-ground and multi-domain capabilities.
Parallel programs—including the Haeseong-III long-range anti-ship missile and the Hyunmoo family of ballistic and cruise missiles—underscore Seoul’s commitment to strengthening its strike portfolio. Hyunmoo missiles offer short- and medium-range precision attack options, while the Haeseong series delivers advanced stand-off protection for maritime operations.
