Older defense industry news and coverage
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.
The Philippines has signed a contract with Hanwha Ocean for two HDC-3100 corvettes to modernize the Philippine Navy's surface fleet. The 3,100-ton vessels will be the most capable warships in the Philippine fleet.
Romania has signed a contract for the K239 Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system, becoming the second European customer after Poland. The deal includes launchers and CTM-290 guided missiles.
Hanwha Defence Australia has broken ground on its new armored vehicle manufacturing facility in Geelong, Victoria, which will produce the AS21 Redback IFV and AS9 Huntsman SPH for the Australian Defence Force.
The South Korean government has announced plans to become the world's fourth-largest defense exporter by 2027, backed by continued strong demand for Korean weapons systems across Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
LIG Nex1's L-SAM long-range surface-to-air missile system successfully intercepted a target during a developmental test, marking a major milestone for South Korea's indigenous missile defense capability within the KAMD framework.
Malaysia has signed a contract for 18 FA-50M Block 20 light combat aircraft equipped with the Phantom Strike AESA radar, marking the most advanced FA-50 variant sold to date.
Hanwha Group completed its acquisition of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME), rebranding the company as Hanwha Ocean. The move strengthens Hanwha's position in both commercial shipbuilding and naval defense.
Australia has selected the Hanwha AS21 Redback infantry fighting vehicle for its Land 400 Phase 3 program, beating the Rheinmetall Lynx KF41. The AUD 7.4 billion contract covers 129 vehicles to be manufactured in Geelong, Victoria.
Korea Aerospace Industries' KF-21 Boramae 4.5-generation fighter achieved its first supersonic flight, breaking Mach 1.0 during a test flight from Sacheon Air Base. The milestone brings Korea closer to indigenous advanced fighter production.
South Korea's defense exports reached a record $17.3 billion in 2022, driven primarily by the massive Polish procurement of K2 tanks, K9 howitzers, FA-50 fighters, and Chunmoo MLRS. The figure represents a dramatic increase from the previous year.
Poland has taken delivery of its first batch of K2 Black Panther main battle tanks from Hyundai Rotem, marking the beginning of a 1,000-unit order that will make Poland the largest K2 operator outside South Korea.