Older defense industry news and coverage
Norway selected Hanwha's K239 Chunmoo over the US HIMARS system in a NOK 19 billion (~$2 billion) deal for 16 launchers and missiles with range up to 500 km. The selection over a US system is a major validation of Korean MLRS technology.
South Korea began exporting the domestically developed DV27K 1,500hp diesel engine, ending dependence on foreign powerplants for K2 tank exports. HD Hyundai secured contracts to supply 116 engines for Poland's second batch of K2s and to be the sole engine provider for Turkey's Altay main battle tank. This gives Seoul full authority over armored vehicle exports without requiring third-party clearance.
U.S. autonomous systems maker Shield AI announced that its V-BAT vertical takeoff drone will be armed with LIG Nex1's guided missile system, following a contract commemoration event held at UMEX 2026 in Abu Dhabi. The integration pairs Shield AI's autonomous VTOL capability with LIG Nex1's precision strike munitions, marking a significant cross-border defense technology partnership.
Hanwha is investing $5 billion in its Philadelphia shipyard (acquired in 2024) for US naval construction. Hanwha Defense USA won its first US Navy subcontract under the Next Generation Logistics Ship (NGLS) Program, marking Korea's entry into US defense shipbuilding.
Hanwha Systems won a contract from Boeing for the Eagle Large Area Display for F-15K and F-15EX fighters, marking the first Korean avionics component export to the United States defense market.
Hanwha Aerospace signed its third contract with Norway for 24 additional K9 VIDAR self-propelled howitzers, expanding the Norwegian Army's fleet to 52 units. Deliveries are expected by 2027. Norway has become one of Hanwha's deepest European partners, now operating both K9 and K239 Chunmoo systems.
Morocco is evaluating the acquisition of up to 400 K2 Black Panther main battle tanks from South Korea, which would make it the first African operator of the platform. The evaluation follows a ministerial-level visit to Seoul in April 2025 and includes assessments of KM-SAM, K9, and KSS-III submarine systems.
The KF-21 Boramae conducted its final test flight on January 12, 2026, concluding a flight test program spanning 1,600 sorties over 42 months. DAPA is set to finalize the development program in the first half of 2026.
South Korea's defense exports reached $15.4 billion (KRW 23.2 trillion) in 2025, up 60.4% year-on-year, driven by massive European and Middle Eastern contracts. The Big Four defense firms are projected to hit KRW 50 trillion combined revenue in 2026.
Hanwha Aerospace signed a KRW 5.6 trillion (~$4.1 billion) third execution contract with Poland for Chunmoo guided missiles (CGR-080). Poland has now ordered 288 Chunmoo launchers designated Homar-K, with missile production technology transferred to Poland.
South Korea's military announced plans to develop 500,000 war drones as part of its three-axis defense system and future warfare capability enhancement. The program reflects lessons learned from the Ukraine conflict and growing drone warfare threat.
Poland's 16th Mechanized Division received the final 12 K9 howitzers, completing all 212 units under the first executive contract signed in August 2022 — ahead of the original 2026 deadline. Poland has shifted focus to the second executive contract for 152 additional K9s, and domestic K9PL production begins in 2026.
LIG Nex1 won a KRW 1.56 trillion (~$1.1B) DAPA contract for the EW Block I electronic warfare aircraft system, enhancing the ROKAF's electronic warfare capabilities through 2030.
Peru signed a strategic framework agreement with Hyundai Rotem for 54 K2 Black Panther tanks and 141 K808 armored personnel carriers worth $1.4 billion. This marks the first K2 export beyond Europe and the largest Korean defense export to Latin America. A $270M local assembly plant will be built through a FAME-Hyundai Rotem joint venture.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries signed a contract with the Peruvian Navy to jointly develop next-generation submarines — the company's first-ever submarine export deal. The basic design phase began in January 2026 for an 11-month period. This is separate from the existing 4-vessel surface combatant project (frigate, patrol vessel, landing craft) worth 640 billion won with Peru.
Saudi Arabia signed a $3.2 billion contract with LIG Nex1 for the Cheongung-II medium-range surface-to-air missile defense system, marking the largest Korean missile defense export and a major Middle East breakthrough.
At IndoDefense 2025, Indonesia and South Korea signed a new agreement reaffirming Indonesia's planned purchase of 48 KF-21 Boramae aircraft with PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI) production participation, paving the way for the first KF-21 export.
Korean Air rolled out the first KUS-FS medium-altitude reconnaissance UAV, with an initial contract for 12 aircraft and potential fleet expansion to 100. Service entry is targeted for September 2026, marking Korea's push into indigenous military drone platforms.
Hyundai Rotem and Israel's Rafael signed a teaming agreement at MSPO 2025 in Poland to integrate the Trophy active protection system onto the K2 Black Panther tank. The deal covers integration, production, marketing, and life-cycle support. Trophy is already proven on the Merkava, Abrams, Leopard 2, and Challenger tanks. This will be the first APS integration on a Korean MBT.
Hanwha Systems rolled out the first mass-produced AESA radar for the KF-21 Boramae fighter, featuring approximately 1,000 T/R modules and 150-200 km detection range. The radar is a critical indigenous component of Korea's 4.5-generation fighter.
Hyundai Rotem sealed a record KRW 9 trillion (~$6.5 billion) second implementation contract with Poland for K2 Black Panther tanks, including development of the Polish-specification K2PL variant and construction of an assembly plant in Poland. This is the largest single contract in Korean defense export history.
The first Polish-assembled K2PL main battle tanks have entered production at the Bumar-Labedy plant in Gliwice, Poland. The K2PL features Polish-specified subsystems and enhanced NATO interoperability.
The Philippines signed a contract with KAI for 12 additional FA-50 light combat aircraft along with upgrades for previously delivered jets, expanding the Philippine Air Force's Korean-built combat fleet.
DAPA held a ceremony marking the start of final assembly for the first mass-produced KF-21 Boramae at KAI's Sacheon facility. The milestone follows completion of all flight test objectives and moves the program from development to serial production.
The KF-21 Boramae has completed its full flight test program, including weapons integration tests with air-to-air missiles. The achievement clears the path for initial operational capability and serial production.
Norway has selected the K239 Chunmoo as its new multiple launch rocket system, becoming the third European customer after Poland and Romania. The deal builds on Norway's existing use of K9 VIDAR howitzers.
Saudi Arabia has signed a multi-billion dollar contract with Hanwha Aerospace for K9A2 self-propelled howitzers, marking the largest Middle Eastern K9 order to date and expanding Hanwha's Gulf presence.
Hanwha Aerospace reported record annual revenue exceeding $10 billion with an order backlog of over $25 billion, driven by strong demand for the K9 howitzer, K239 Chunmoo MLRS, and Redback IFV across multiple continents.
South Korea's defense exports surpassed $20 billion in 2024, driven by continued European demand and new contracts in the Middle East. The country has solidified its position as a top-5 global arms exporter.
Korea Aerospace Industries has received approval to begin low-rate initial production (LRIP) of the KF-21 Boramae fighter. The first production batch will include 40 Block 1 aircraft for the Republic of Korea Air Force.