The Republic of Korea plans to begin mass production of Cheongung medium-range surface-to-air missile interceptor system, according to local media sources. All testing and evaluations of the M-SAM have been reportedly completed, and it now awaits a final process next month to determine its suitability for intended combat missions. 

Seoul aims to deploy the indigenous Cheongung between 2018 and 2019. The system, designed to take down targets flying at an altitude of up to 15-20 km, will replace the country's MIM-23 HAWK SAM systems, which are locally known as Cheolmae.