South Korean companies turning necessity into export opportunity
The AS21 Redback is an example of the exportability of South Korean systems. (Photo: Hanwha Defense)
South Korea’s particular geopolitical situation and threat environment has created a defence industry ecosystem of substantial size and breadth.
The South Korean government’s desire to create indigenous capabilities across all its armed forces, ranging from fighter aircraft and submarines to land vehicles, has seen South Korean industry step up to meet the country’s unique requirements. In the land domain, this has led to broad export successes for the country.
The production of vehicles is led by Hyundai Rotem and Hanwha Defense and Aerospace; two large entities expanded further by takeovers and consolidation. Both companies are strongest in their local markets but build on that to sell widely across Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Hanwha’s K9 self-propelled howitzer (SPH) is probably the
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