Article

Saudi Arabia is exploring local production of the Poniard guided rocket, also known as K-LOGIR, a 70-millimeter surface-to-ship missile developed by South Korea's Agency for Defense Development and LIG Nex1, operational since 2017. The initiative follows the integration of the Poniard system on the Royal Saudi Navy's FPB 2200 patrol boats, which are used for coastal defense against small threats in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf.

With an established operational baseline since 2023, Saudi Arabia aims to enhance its maritime security capabilities. The Poniard has a maximum range of 8 kilometers, a 14-kilogram weight, and a 4-kilogram warhead.

Its guidance system allows for precision strikes on multiple targets simultaneously. The rocket has also been adopted by the United Arab Emirates Navy, reflecting its relevance in Gulf maritime defense strategies. Testing for the system has included successful live-fire activities using unmanned platforms.