South Korea is looking shift its defence industry from one that is centred on internal demand to one that is focussed on exports. Korean defence firms are now making growing and rapid inroads into the defence market in the region,...
To read the full article, please log in or enter your email below:
South Korea is looking shift its defence industry from one that is centred on internal demand to one that is focussed on exports. Korean defence firms are now making growing and rapid inroads into the defence market in the region, underscored by the government's ambitions of transforming the country into an arms-exporting powerhouse.
Defence firms in South Korea have tailored export strategies, optimised to the demands of customer countries by region, and have been conducting market development activities in future effective markets in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. According to International Trade Administration, South Korea’s defence budget is the world’s 10th largest in size and it is also the world’s 10th largest defence exporter. South Korea is projected to generate 29.7 trillion won (US$23.4 billion) in defence exports by 2027. Last year, South Korean arms exports grew by 140 per cent to US$17.3 billion from US$7.25 billion in 2021, the highest arms exports in the history of South Korea.
According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), South Korea's share of the global arms exports over a five-year period ending in 2021 was 2.8 per cent, making it the eighth largest in the world. By comparison, during the preceding five-year period, South Korean arms exports accounted for just 1 per cent of the global output for 13th place overall.
According to Morgan Stanley, South Korea has become a major exporter of military and defence equipment and supplies, with 2022 exports totalling 22.9 trillion South Korean won (US$17.9 billion). That’s more than double the figure of 9.5 trillion won in 2021. “Rising demand from Europe and Asia for Korean manufacturers to provide military/defence equipment, including tanks, artillery, and airplanes, are pushing up export volumes,” said the bank’s second half outlook investment report on South Korea.
Humble Origins
The South Korean defence industry began with production of rifles which imitated M-16, the ammunitions and other small arms not significantly considered advanced technology. It rapidly developed and produced more advanced defence products with the K-1 88-tanks, manufactured by Hyundai, based on General Dynamics’ M1 Abrams, and K200-KIFV (Korea Infantry Fighting Vehicle), manufactured by Daewoo and based on the American AIFV) in the mid-1980s to K-1 basic trainer aircraft, made by KAI, the Chang Bogo class submarine (upgraded German 209-type, produced by DMSE), in 1990s, K-50 supersonic advanced trainers and multirole light fighters developed by KAI, and Son Won Il class submarines (German 214-type submarines), produced by Hyundai in recent years.
Today, South Korea has already become an aggressive competitor with Europe in high-end military components, matching Western standards for quality and performance. The government is developing defence industry export markets and promoting marketing activities.
Aerospace Defence Booster
The aerospace defence industry pushes the South Korean arms exports. The country has succeeded deals to sell KT-1 and T-50s to Indonesia, Turkey, Peru, Iraq and the Philippines. KAI is seeking to export T-50 to several countries including the United Arab Emirates. Early this year, KAI finalised a contract to supply Malaysia with eighteen FA-50 light fighters. The FA-50, a multi-role aircraft modelled after the T-50 Golden Eagle advanced trainer aircraft, underscores KAI's expanding global footprint in the aerospace industry. With this export deal, the total exports of KAI's domestically produced KT-1 and T-50 series aircraft may reach approximately 240 units globally.
The next goal of the nation's sole jet maker this year is to win the preferred bidder status for Egypt's project to locally produce the jet trainers and lightweight fighters in collaboration with a foreign company, KAI CEO Kang Gu-young said. It will be KAI’s first foray into Africa's military aircraft market if it wins the contract to export more than 100 T-50 trainer aircraft to Egypt. “Egypt's strategic geographic location (between the northeast corner of Africa and Western Asia) would then open many other doors of opportunity," Kang opined.
KAI's ultimate objective is to export its aircraft to the United States, a market for the world's greatest fighter aircraft makers. That would elevate KAI's status and provide momentum for its next vision of becoming a key player in the international aerospace industry, Kang added. Nevertheless, South Korea continues to be the United States’ third largest country for arms exports after Saudi Arabia and Australia based on the total export volume from 2009 to 2021, thus a substantial market for U.S. defence contractors.
The US Army Special Operations Aviation Command (USASOAC) has awarded Boeing a $240 million contract to remanufacture five MH-47G Block…
LEAV Aviation has partnered with AirFi to introduce a new inflight entertainment, connectivity, and retail system from March 2025. The…
AAR CORP. has extended its exclusive Serviceable Engine Products agreement with FTAI Aviation Ltd. for the CFM56 used serviceable material…
Integrated and Reliable Data Distribution Systems for Naval Platforms Developed by HAVELSAN, the Platform Data Distribution System (PDDS) and Submarine…
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has showcased the RobDozer, a remotely operated military bulldozer, during a demonstration in the United States…
HAVELSAN has signed a cooperation agreement with Egypt’s Kader Advanced Industrial Factory, affiliated with the Arab Organization for Industrialization, to…
Vojensky technicky ustav, s.p. (VTU), the Czech Republic’s military technical institute, has selected Exail to provide Advans inertial navigation systems…
ASELSAN will participate in LAAD 2025 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 1-4 April, as it seeks to strengthen its…
Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has launched the second 3,200-ton frigate for the Philippine Navy. The vessel, named BRP Diego Silang,…
Japan Airlines (JAL) has confirmed an order for 17 Boeing 737-8 aircraft, expanding its 737 MAX backlog to 38 firm…
The USS Pinckney (DDG 91) has successfully completed Flight Test Other 40 (FTX-40), also known as Stellar Banshee, which evaluated…
DIMOS has expanded its pallet mover range for airport logistics, introducing two new models equipped with integrated scales and lift…
The first AH-64E Apache attack reconnaissance helicopter for the Australian Army has reached the final assembly stage at Boeing’s production…
Sentrycs has been selected to supply counter-UAS (C-UAS) technology for a national security project in Africa following a competitive evaluation…
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. has reported record financial results for 2024, with a 27% increase in sales, reaching $4.8…
Embraer will showcase high performance, multi-role aircraft as well as comprehensive solutions for air, land, sea, space, and cyber at…
Semi Conductor Devices (SCD), which develops and manufactures a range of cooled and uncooled infrared detectors and high-power laser diodes,…
Indra is coordinating the NG MIMA (Next Generation Military Integrated Modular Avionics) project, a European initiative aimed at developing a…
Boeing has reached a record high in its production of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) seekers, delivering over 500 units in…
Exail has successfully delivered critical navigation equipment to the Finnish Navy, marking a major step forward in the Squadron 2020…
ZeroAvia has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant by AFWERX to study the feasibility of integrating hydrogen…
RENK Group AG has announced a collaboration with NXP Semiconductors to enhance the digitalisation of its product portfolio. The partnership…
The organisers of Indo Aerospace 2024 Expo & Forum will visit the international airshow at Avalon Airport in Victoria, Australia,…
At the 2025 Airbus Summit, the company outlined its updated plans for future commercial aviation, including preparations for a next-generation…
The inter airport Southeast Asia (IASEA) 2025 has commenced at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, bringing together industry professionals, global solution…
A new European research project, PACIFIC (Particle emissions, Air Quality and Climate Impact related to Fuel Composition and Engine Cycle),…
Airbus has introduced a pilot programme to trial a “Book and Claim” approach for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), aiming to…
Boeing has completed what is believed to be the first recorded flight test of multiple quantum sensors, demonstrating an aircraft’s…
CAE New Zealand has been awarded a contract by the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) to provide maintenance and…
New Zealand’s Search and Rescue Services (SRSL) has ordered four Airbus H145 helicopters to support its emergency medical services (EMS)…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2025 GBP all rights reserved.