Janice R. Andrews
At the International military Industry Exhibition (MSPO) 2024 in Poland, South Korea’s military industry is making moves. South Korean companies are constantly competing for large foreign contracts in the global arms market, which is growing quickly and is very competitive. They have a strong presence and show off a wide range of advanced military technologies.
In the middle of Poland on September 3, 2024, in the morning, the Targi Kielce Exhibition Center was a busy place. More than 760 defense companies from 35 countries were finishing up their plans for MSPO 2024. The event this year has grown to celebrate Poland’s 25th anniversary as a member of NATO. It now includes big military companies from the US, UK, Australia, and other top countries. South Korea has also made a big impact, with 27 companies taking part. These include big names in the industry like Hanwha Aerospace, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), and Hyundai Rotem, as well as smaller and medium-sized businesses.
South Korea Will Be Very Present at MSPO 2024
MSPO, along with Eurosatory in Paris and DSEI in London, has grown to become one of Europe’s biggest defense shows since it began in 1993. In recent years, the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has made the show even more important. This is because the conflict has led to more military buildups across Eastern Europe and more competition between defense companies. South Korea’s defense business was getting a lot of attention even before the show started.
The event managers talked about the South Korean companies that would be there on their official website on August 1, 2024. They called the Korean defense industry a “Asian tycoon.” This honor comes after South Korean defense goods like the K2 tank, Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher, and K9 self-propelled gun were shown off in a big way at Poland’s recent Armed Forces Day parade. A lot of countries, including Poland and Romania (which have already signed defense deals with South Korea), are now very interested in buying military goods made in South Korea.
South Korea’s defense industry has once again shown its strengths through its ability to deliver high-quality goods quickly. The successful exports to Poland are a good example of this. South Korea is also showing off its Jangbogo-III class subs at this year’s MSPO. It wants to get multibillion-dollar deals with countries like Poland, Canada, and others.
SA’s defense exports set a new high mark in 2012
From $250 million in 2006 to $3 billion in 2020, South Korea’s defense exports have grown by a huge amount. This amount is likely to hit a new high of $20 billion this year, thanks to the worldwide arms race. The number of countries where exports go has also grown, from four in 2022 to twelve last year. By the end of this year, the number is expected to have reached over fifteen.
The MSPO this year is especially important because it marks Poland’s 25th year in NATO and puts a lot of focus on NATO allies. For this reason, military heavyweights from NATO member states like the U.S. and the U.K. have also joined in larger numbers. South Korean defense companies have shown off a wide range of next-generation weapons in order to fight in this market.
South Korean inventions are on display.
Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems, and Hanwha Ocean, the three defense units of Hanwha Group, have put a 1/10 scale model of the Jangbogo-III Batch 2 submarine in the middle of their show. Hanwha Systems’ submarine combat management system (CMS) used in the Jangbogo-III class was also shown off. The goal was to get the “Orca Project,” a $2.5 billion deal for three new submarines as part of Poland’s upgrading of its navy. Defense companies from Germany, France, and Spain are also eagerly competing to get this job, along with South Korea.
At the show, Hyundai Rotem showed off the “HR-Sherpa,” a fourth-generation robotic ground vehicle (UGV) that can be used for a variety of tasks. Two have already been sent to the South Korean military, but this is the first time the car has been shown to the public. The HR-Sherpa was created with help from Hyundai Motor Group. It uses artificial intelligence (AI) and self-driving technology to do many military tasks, such as surveillance, reconnaissance, fighting, and transporting hurt troops or supplies.
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is also setting up Poland as a way to get into the European market. KAI’s booth shows off the company’s main products by putting its FA-50 and KF-21 fighter jets in the spotlight. KAI is looking for new business with countries like Slovakia and Bulgaria that need to replace their fighter jets. They are also looking for follow-up business with Poland, which has already gotten FA-50s.
Final Thoughts
For South Korean defense companies, taking part in MSPO 2024 is a big step toward getting a bigger share of the NATO market through Poland. South Korea is setting itself up to be a major player in the world’s defense business by showing off its cutting-edge technologies and fighting for big contracts. As the global arms race heats up and Eastern Europe continues to strengthen its military, the fact that South Korean defense giants are at MSPO 2024 shows their long-term goals and growing position in the global defense market.
