LIG D&A Signs First Export Deal for Haegung Naval Missile With Malaysia

South Korea’s shipborne guided weapon system Haegung will be exported for the first time.
 
LIG D&A and Malaysia’s Defense Ministry signed a supply contract for Haegung on Tuesday at the DSA 2026 defense exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, the company said.
 
The deal, Haegung’s first overseas export, is worth $94 million (about 140 billion won). The missile is to be installed on Malaysia Navy littoral patrol vessels built by Turkish defense company STM.
 
Haegung is a domestically developed ship-to-air missile designed to intercept a range of aerial threats, including anti-ship guided missiles and aircraft.
 
Led by the Agency for Defense Development, the system was developed in 2011 and later deployed by the South Korean Navy, where it established reliability during force modernization. It is assessed as a system that can replace or complement close-in weapon systems.
 
LIG D&A says Haegung’s key strength is accuracy. Using a dual-mode seeker, it can track targets steadily even in electronic-warfare conditions or amid complex interference.
 
“Accuracy directly maximizes a ship’s survivability, so it is seen as an effective weapon system in Malaysia,” said Hong Jun-gi, a senior manager at LIG D&A.
 
Korean air defense systems that have already posted results in the Middle East also drew attention from Southeast Asian countries.
 
Cheongung-II, which has been evaluated as having proven performance through exports to the Middle East and operational use, was among the exhibition’s key items. It is cited for layered defense that can respond to aircraft and ballistic missiles at the same time, operational efficiency and price competitiveness.
 
Hong said demand from Southeast Asian countries is growing for Cheongung-II as “an effective weapon system that can intercept aircraft and ballistic missiles simultaneously, along with high accuracy.”  
Korean defense firms also highlighted naval platforms. The Malaysia Navy is pursuing a project this year to acquire two multi-role support ships, and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries used the exhibition to begin its bid.
 
The company’s proposed ship is about 11,000 tons, about 154 meters long and 24 meters wide.
 
It can operate two helicopters at the same time and carry troops, armored vehicles and supplies needed for amphibious operations. The platform is presented as suitable for Southeast Asia’s mixed security needs, including troop transport, amphibious operations, disaster relief and humanitarian assistance.
 
“The advantage is strong combat power and amphibious capability, including the ability to carry at least 18 armored vehicles and move more than 140 troops at once for operations,” said Park Yong-yeol, vice president and head of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ naval ship business division.
 
Beyond the multi-role support ship, the company proposed coastal mission ships, coastal combat ships, next-generation patrol vessels and submarines, and delegations from the Philippines and Thailand also visited the booth.