Chiron (missile)

The KP-SAM Shin-Gung or Shin-Kung (Korean: hangul: 신궁, hanja: 新弓) is a South Korean shoulder launched surface-to-air missile manufactured by LIG Nex1. It is marketed internationally as the Chiron.

Overview
The Shin-Gung was created to protect ROK troops in the forward area, which started in 1995 under the direction of NEX1 Future Company Ltd. In late 2003, the delivery of the Igla SAMs from Russia in payment for Russian debts to Korea appear to have solved the problem momentarily. The KP-SAM began production in 2004 with extended trials in early 2005. In late 2005, the KP-SAM Shingung entered service with the South Korean Army, after being in development for nearly 8 years. The South Korean Army has ordered some 2000 units to be delivered in the near future.

Features
While the missile system externally resembles a French Mistral system, the seeker itself is based on Russian technology with the control section, warhead and motor made in South Korea. The missile features integrated IFF systems, night and adverse weather capabilities, a two-colour (IR/UV) infrared seeker to aid in negating infrared countermeasures (IRCM) and a proximity-fuse warhead. During development tests the missile scored a 90% hit ratio.

According to Agency for Defense Development officials, the missile is superior to the American FIM-92 Stinger or the French Mistral in hit probability, price and portability. It had been involved in a missile test where the Shingung's missile made impact on a low-flying target as high as 3.5 kilometers with a speed of Mach 2.0 and a distance range of 7 km.

Users

 * 🇰🇷 South Korea: In ROK Army service since 2005.

Potential Users

 * 🇮🇳 India: India plans to acquire Shin Gungs from LIG Nex1 Co. with a cost of 1.4 trillion won (US$1.28 billion) by 2014.

Cancelled contract with Peru

 * 🇵🇪 Peru: ordered 108 missiles in December 2012 for US $44.1 million to be used by Peruvian Army. However, in May 2013, the contract was reported to be cancelled. The reasons cited were lack of re-export rights on Russian technology in the missile.