Korea defense firms showcase new weapons for record exports

South Korean defense makers showcased next-generation products with artificial intelligence, robot and stealth functions for the future battlefield to ramp up the country’s defense exports to an all-time high this year.

About 350 companies in the sector including LIG Nex1 Co., Hanwha and Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI) unveiled new weapons at Defense Expo Korea 2022 (DX Korea 2022), on Wednesday. Military officials from about 50 countries including Slovakia, Romania and Pakistan attended Asia’s largest defense industry show for potential import deals.

“We aim to develop the defense sector as a national strategic industry,” South Korea’s Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup said in his opening remarks, stressing the country will fully support the sector in its aim to increase exports.

The government plans to provide different support packages for each export type, such as the joint development of weapon systems, technology transfer and overseas local production, Lee said.

TO RAMP UP DEFENSE EXPORTS TO MORE THAN $10 BILLION

The country aims to raise defense exports to more than $10 billion this year from some $7 billion in 2021.

Jaroslav Nad’, the defense minister of Slovakia, which is in negotiations to buy the FA-50 light fighter jet manufactured by KAI, held talks with Lee during the expo. South Korea’s Vice Defense Minister Shin Beomchul also met his Lithuanian counterpart Vilius Semeška, adding to hopes for a defense export deal with the Baltic country.

General Atomics, a US energy and defense maker, inked a memorandum of understanding with South Korea's airborne and defense communication system maker Huneed Technologies and optical communication company Wooriro Co.

General Atomics seeks to use parts manufactured by those companies for its next-generation drones and other products.

HIGH VALUE-ADDED INDUSTRY

KAI has drawn the attention of foreign military officials since it signed a $3 billion contract with Poland to export 48 units of the FA-50. Those potential customers also showed interest in other products during the show.

The military aircraft maker exhibited a small utility helicopter for special operations, a multi-role military transport aircraft, a naval aircraft KF-21N and others.

KAI's Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) to be mobilized next year is equipped with cutting-edge weapons such as air-to-ground guided missiles that can destroy enemy tanks from several kilometers away.

“We will transform into a software-based high value-added company,” said its Chief Executive Officer Kang Goo-young during the show.

LIG Nex1 attracted visitors through an air-to-surface guided missile equipped with a drone, which can conduct its own air strike and help the missile make a pinpoint strike by designating a target with a laser.

It also exhibited other products such as a drone that can transport up to 40 kilograms.

Korean Air Lines Co. showcased stealth unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and their squadron under development with radar-absorbent structures and surface current control technology that reduces the probability of radar detection. The UAV squadron will not only support and escort manned aircraft but will also be able to perform its own missions including surveillance, electronic interference tactics and precise targeting.

SMART GROUND WEAPON SYSTEMS

Hanwha Group’s defense units introduced next-generation weapon systems that incorporate future technologies such as AI, robots and lasers.

Hanwha Defense exhibited a smart unmanned multi-purpose vehicle with a self-driving function based on AI, while Hanwha Systems Co. showcased an export model of a three-dimensional phased array multifunction radar that can detect and track a target, as well as guide a missile.

Hanwha Corp. displayed a system that detects and neutralizes drones with laser technology.

Hyundai Motor Group unveiled new weapons for ground warfare.

Hyundai Wia Corp., a maker of automobile parts and defense products, released an anti-drone system that defends against UAV attacks with AI software technology. Hyundai Rotem Co. introduced export models of the K2 Black Panther, a next-generation main battle tank, for Poland and Norway, and a wheeled armored vehicle with a 105-millimeter turret.

Kia Corp. showcased various hydrogen military vehicles including a concept model of a midsized truck that uses hydrogen fuel cells as well as an all-terrain vehicle.

Write to Hyung-Kyu Kim, Il-Gue Kim and Dong-Hyun Kim at khk@hankyung.com
Jongwoo Cheon edited this article.