[8] A complete battery consists of four to six 8-cell transporter erector launchers (TELs), a passive electronically scanned array (PESA) multi-function 3D radar (based on the one from the Russian S-400), and a fire command vehicle.
Though it was developed in Russia by the Almaz Design Bureau in association with Samsung Thales, LIG Nex1, and Doosan DST, localization and industrialization were done in South Korea enough to consider it an indigenous system.
[2][11] The system passed the military's operational requirement verification test in July 2015, and began deployment in early 2016 near the maritime border with North Korea in the Yellow Sea.
In April 2017, South Korean military officials revealed that a low-tier missile defense system based on the Cheongung was in the final phase of development.
Modifying the standard SAM with hit-to-kill technology enables it to intercept incoming ballistic missiles at mid altitudes of around 20 km (66,000 ft).
[27] In February 2024, the South Korean Ministry of National Defense announced that Saudi Arabia would purchase 10 KM-SAM Block II batteries, in a deal worth $3.2 billion.
[21] In September 2024, the Iraqi Ministry of Defense signed a deal with LIG Nex1 worth $2.8 billion, in order to acquire an unspecified number of KM-SAM Block II batteries.