The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on April 12 said Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are looking for alternative suppliers of missile defense systems including those in Korea. (Screen capture from WSJ)

By Aisylu Akhmetzianova

Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are reportedly diversifying their weapons supply chains to Korea, Ukraine and the U.K.

In its report "Gulf Allies Turn Away From U.S. for Fresh Ammo" dated April 6, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) said, "Middle Eastern allies are seeking alternative air defenses after six weeks of air bombardment depleted their air defense stocks."

"Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE are turning to South Korean missile-defense systems, Ukrainian drones that smash into targets midair and traditional American Gatling guns," it added.

The report said Saudi Arabia "has asked South Korea's Hanwha and LIG Nex1 about bringing forward an order for their M-SAM (medium range surface-to-air missile) system, according to people familiar with the matter."

The UAE has asked Korean companies to supply more interceptor missiles, the report said. The WSJ quoted a Korean lawmaker as saying, "The M-SAM, a midrange surface-to-air system that can intercept drones, missiles and planes, has been used by the U.A.E. to down Iranian munitions."

aisylu@korea.kr