{"id":2202547,"date":"2023-10-23T17:00:56","date_gmt":"2023-10-23T08:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2202547"},"modified":"2023-10-24T16:54:00","modified_gmt":"2023-10-24T07:54:00","slug":"why-south-koreas-arms-export-boom-faces-geopolitical-hurdles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/10\/why-south-koreas-arms-export-boom-faces-geopolitical-hurdles\/","title":{"rendered":"Why South Korea\u2019s arms export boom faces geopolitical hurdles"},"content":{"rendered":"
Seoul aims to rank as the <\/span>fourth largest global arms exporter<\/span><\/a> by 2027. This ambition, set against the backdrop of landmark deals with Poland and Middle Eastern nations, highlights South Korea\u2019s burgeoning defense sector. However, experts caution against overlooking inherent risks and challenges, from market saturation to diplomatic repercussions.<\/span><\/p>\n The government and private sectors, including the Agency for Defense Development and companies like Hanwha Systems and LIG Nex1, drive this growth. The recent International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX) at Seoul Airport, the nation\u2019s largest defense expo, attracted 550 firms from 35 countries, showcasing innovations like Hanwha\u2019s K-9 self-propelled howitzer and Hyundai Rotem\u2019s K-2 Black Panther tanks.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like all of these weapons platforms to be attractive to our consumers,\u201d Jang Siyoung, Hanwha Aerospace\u2019s business development manager, told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i>, highlighting the global appeal of the company\u2019s offerings, particularly the K-9 howitzer.<\/span><\/p>\n EUROPEAN DEMAND FOR KOREAN DEFENSE ASSETS<\/b><\/p>\n The European appetite for South Korean defense assets has grown amid Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine. Despite Seoul\u2019s stance against supplying lethal aid to Ukraine, European nations are increasingly procuring Korean military equipment, including tanks, jets and artillery, for various purposes, including support for Kyiv.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cEuropean demand is particularly strong for guided weapons systems,\u201d Choi Gi-il, a professor at Sangji University\u2019s national security division, told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n In a landmark <\/span>$13.7 billion deal<\/span><\/a> last year, Poland, a NATO member state, secured numerous Korean military assets, marking Seoul\u2019s largest European arms contract. The agreement encompassed FA-50 light combat aircraft, K-9 howitzers, Chunmoo MLRS rocket systems and K-2 tanks.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cPoland\u2019s NATO membership significantly broadens our European market scope,\u201d Hanwha Aerospace\u2019s Jang said.<\/span><\/p>\n Beyond Poland, other European countries have also engaged with Seoul\u2019s defense industry. Recent deals include <\/span>Norway\u2019s<\/span><\/a> acquisition of additional K-9 howitzers, <\/span>Finland\u2019s<\/span><\/a> contract extension for more K-9s and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Hanwha Aerospace and <\/span>Romania<\/span><\/a> for K-9s and infantry fighting vehicles.<\/span><\/p>\n Korea Institute for Defence Analyses\u2019 (KIDA) senior analyst Shin Seung-ki attributes this demand surge to the cost-effectiveness and quality of Korean armaments, crucial for nations like Poland, which is facing immediate security concerns, particularly from Russia.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cPoland and other Central European countries feeling the heat from the Ukraine conflict are prioritizing the immediate acquisition of cohesive weapon systems,\u201d Shin told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n However, Choi notes that beyond cost-effectiveness, \u201cadherence to delivery timelines\u201d remains a critical factor for these countries, often constrained by diplomatic ties and historical reliance on Soviet equipment.<\/span><\/p>\n Echoing Choi, Kim Seongjin, a senior researcher at the Defense Agency for Technology and Quality, emphasized the importance of \u201cmeeting delivery schedules stipulated by purchasing nations.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n