Page 29 - ADT SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2021 Online Magazine

A True [ REPORT ]

Heavyweight

SOUTH KOREA IS NOW AMONG THE largest arms exporter in 2014-2018, improved its position to 9th in
TOP TEN ARMS EXPORTERS IN THE the 2016-2020 period, slotting in just below Israel and above coun-
WORLD AND LOOKS PRIMED TO tries such as Italy, Netherlands, Ukraine and Turkey. The country’s
arms exports were, in fact, 210 % higher in 2016–20 than in 2011–15,
CLIMB FURTHER UP THE LIST giving it a 2.7 per cent share of global arms exports. In 2017, South
Korea’s total defence products exports were about US$3.1 billion,
up from less than US$1 billion in 2010.
Arun Sivasankaran
In 2020 alone, South Korea ranked sixth among major arms export-
In South Korea’s success story lies a lesson for ers, up from 31st in 2000. As much as 55 % of the country’s arms
countries that want to ensure that their military exports in 2016-2020 were to Asia and Oceania while the 23%
needs are met, even while looking for ways to of the arms were exported to Europe and 14% to the Middle East.
expedite the growth of the domestic defence With its domestic defence industry coming of age, analysts expect
industry and reduce the dependence on arms the country’s share of the global arms imports to increase further
imports. during the decade.

From being one of the top buyers of US weapons The country’s defence exports, so far dominated by armoured
not so long ago, South Korea now stand poised vehicles, tanks and fighter jet trainers, along with other products
for a substantial leap in its arms exports, thanks such as cluster bombs and rocket launchers, is set to spike with
to a comprehensive strategy that focuses on the country developing new helicopters and unmanned aircraft.
developing new capabilities by encouraging The T-50 military trainer, developed by Korea Aerospace Industries
the growth of the domestic defence industry, (KAI) in partnership with Lockheed Martin, has particularly been in
introducing emerging technologies and work- high demand by overseas militaries.
ing with likeminded international partners on
weapons development. In August this year, KAI, which has also been successful in exporting
its KT-1 turboprop basic trainer, the TA-50 Lead in Fighter Trainer
The numbers tell a story of continuous growth. (LIFT) and FA-50 light combat aircraft, announced that it would
According to SIPRI, South Korean imports were deliver two more T-50 military trainers by November 2023 to
94% higher in the 2014-2018 period compared Thailand, which has already taken delivery of 12 of the trainers.
to 2009–2013. The country, which was the 11th Indonesia is another major customer, with 16 T-50 aircraft already

ASIAN DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY September / October 2021 | 29