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Defense Export Mega Strategy Crush the Competition: Defense Export Domination

March 28, 2025

Billy Yang

● Hanwha’s Rise – Korea’s Lockheed Martin

Analysis of Export Strategy and Global Competition Status of the Korean Defense Industry

1. Export Projects and Overseas Market Prospects

A detailed look into the export projects being pursued by the Korean defense industry.
The possibility of winning export orders in the KF2 fighter and aerospace sectors in two countries is noteworthy.
Southeast Asian countries, China, the Philippines, Thailand, etc., are already sending love calls.
Pay attention to the possibility of sudden order news breaking after negotiations.
This is a strategic content that brings together key keywords related to the economy and exports.

2. Southeast Asia and ASEAN Markets and Korea’s Defense Expansion Strategy

The possibility of Vietnam’s successful export of the K9 self-propelled gun is highlighted.
Vietnam, with a high GDP, is expected to choose Korean weapons instead of Chinese weapons.
Forming good military and economic relations may lead to future military alliances.
Korea is challenging the export of entry-level weapons such as small and medium-sized submarines by promoting its technological prowess and production competitiveness.

3. Current Status and Future Strategy of Submarine and Ground Weapon Exports

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and LIG Nex1 are working together to accelerate the export of small and medium-sized submarines.
The export product targets the demand of developing countries with price competitiveness.
At the same time, it is targeting overseas markets to expand exports of ground weapons such as the K2 tank and K9 self-propelled gun.
Cooperation with European competitors and the development of alternatives are emerging as important strategic elements.

4. The War in Ukraine and Changes in the Global Defense Industry

As the Russia-Ukraine war continues, the possibility of restructuring the global defense industry is increasing.
Regardless of whether the war ends, the movement to increase military spending and expand domestic production is expected to intensify.
In Europe, major countries such as Germany and France are working to secure their own defense production capabilities.
The Korean defense industry is focusing on enhancing its competitiveness in various markets such as Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

5. Technology and Price Competition with Competing Countries, Future Challenges

The foreign competitiveness of the German Leopard tank and Turkey’s armed drone is also considerable.
In particular, Turkey’s export performance of drones and unmanned aerial vehicles is remarkable.
Korea must develop more advanced products based on its existing technology, production capacity, and innovation.
Economy, cost-effectiveness, and the incorporation of new technologies are important variables that will determine export competitiveness.

6. Corporate Strategy and Role of SMEs in the Korean Defense Industry

While large defense companies such as Hanwha Aerospace are leading the development of all-round weapon systems,
Small and medium-sized enterprises (MMC Solutions, Innospace, etc.) are increasing market competitiveness through parts supply and the application of new technologies.
Cooperation between large and small businesses, and the formation of an integrated domestic defense industry value chain, are expected to be the driving force for future growth.
In addition, synergy can be expected in the development of new weapon systems incorporating AI and semiconductor technologies.

7. Conclusion and Future Prospects

Korea’s defense industry’s export strategy is an important means for expanding military and diplomatic influence beyond simply selling weapons.
Various weapon systems such as KF2 fighter, K9 self-propelled gun, and entry-level submarine are meeting overseas demand and laying the foundation for export expansion.
Along with strengthening competitiveness in the European, Middle Eastern, and Southeast Asian markets, it is necessary to continuously improve technology and price competitiveness in response to changes in the global war environment.
It is judged that it is urgent to establish future strategies and respond to the market, focusing on key keywords related to economy, defense, export, Korea, and defense industry.

The Korean defense industry is strengthening its export strategy to overseas markets with KF2 fighters, K9 self-propelled guns, and entry-level submarines.
In order to increase competitiveness in the Southeast Asian, European, and Middle Eastern markets, we are focusing on improving production capacity, incorporating new technologies, and securing price competitiveness.
Amid the global defense industry structural changes and the trend of increasing military spending due to the aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine war,
Korean defense companies are challenging to strengthen international competitiveness based on economic efficiency and technology by cooperating with large defense companies and SMEs.

*YouTube Source: [와이스트릿 – 지식과 자산의 복리효과]

– “삼성이 했어도 안돼” 방산 호황의 주역, 한화는 어떻게 한국의 록히드마틴이 되었나 / 김민석 특파원 (3부)

● Hanwha’s Rise – Korea’s Lockheed Martin Analysis of Export Strategy and Global Competition Status of the Korean Defense Industry 1. Export Projects and Overseas Market Prospects A detailed look into the export projects being pursued by the Korean defense industry. The possibility of winning export orders in the KF2 fighter and aerospace sectors…