The Moroccan army has reinforced its air defense capabilities with the acquisition of 50 KP-SAM “Chiron” launchers and 101 missiles from South Korea, according to UN Register of Conventional Arms.
The KP-SAM Chiron is a man-portable, shoulder-launched surface-to-air missile (MANPADS) designed to intercept low-flying aircraft, helicopters, drones, and cruise missiles. it features an advanced dual-channel IR/UV, an infrared homing seeker with infrared counter-countermeasure (IRCCM) capabilities.
The Korean shoulder-fired surface-to-air missile reaches a top speed of Mach 2.1 to 2.5 (approx. 2,570–3,060 km/h). The missile itself weighs 10 kg, with a 2.5 kg high-explosive fragmentation warhead.
According to experts, Chiron provide strategically valuable point defense to key ground forces and military assets defending them from air attacks. Its many sensors and various capabilities allow Chiron to operate in a variety of disadvantageous conditions.
It competes with American FIM-92 Stinger and the French Mistral. In highly volatile zones, the Chiron offers the advantage of high mobility and rapid deployment, making it a valuable asset for infantry units and air-defence forces. It has also been exported to several countries, demonstrating its reliability and effectiveness in modern battlefield environments.
