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According to data from the Stockholm on General Dynamics’ M1 Abrams, and K200-KIFV (Korea Infantry
International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Fighting Vehicle), manufactured by Daewoo and based on the
South Korea’s share of the global arms exports American AIFV) in the mid-1980s to K-1 basic trainer aircraft, made by
over a five-year period ending in 2021 was 2.8 KAI, the Chang Bogo class submarine (upgraded German 209-type,
per cent, making it the eighth largest in the produced by DMSE), in 1990s, K-50 supersonic advanced trainers
world. By comparison, during the preceding and multirole light fighters developed by KAI, and Son Won Il class
five-year period, South Korean arms exports submarines (German 214-type submarines), produced by Hyundai
accounted for just 1 per cent of the global in recent years.
output for 13th place overall.
Today, South Korea has already become an aggressive competitor
According to Morgan Stanley, South Korea with Europe in high-end military components, matching Western
has become a major exporter of military and standards for quality and performance. The government is devel-
defence equipment and supplies, with 2022 oping defence industry export markets and promoting marketing
exports totalling 22.9 trillion South Korean won activities.
(US$17.9 billion). That’s more than double the
figure of 9.5 trillion won in 2021. “Rising demand The South Korean government has established a tailored export
from Europe and Asia for Korean manufacturers strategy, optimised to the demands of customer countries by region,
to provide military/defence equipment, includ- and has been conducting market development activities in future
ing tanks, artillery, and airplanes, are pushing effective markets in Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.
up export volumes,” said the bank’s second half Moreover, it has been facilitating high-level military exchanges and
outlook investment report on South Korea. cooperation, such as the meetings with the foreign military attachés,
and enhancing the foundations for a defence industry export market
How it All Started by promoting the Seoul ADEX as a world-class defence industry
exhibition.
The South Korean defence industry began
with production of rifles which imitated M-16, Aerospace Defence Booster
the ammunitions and other small arms not
significantly considered advanced technol- The aerospace defence industry pushes the South Korean arms
ogy. It rapidly developed and produced more exports. The country has succeeded deals to sell KT-1 and T-50s
advanced defence products with the K-1 to Indonesia, Turkey, Peru, Iraq and the Philippines. KAI is seeking to
88-tanks, manufactured by Hyundai, based export T-50 to several countries including the United Arab Emirates.

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