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Korea's Defense Exports Enter New Phase

Key Takeaways
  • Korea's defense exports reached $9.5 billion in 2024 and $15.4 billion in 2025.
  • Exports are forecast to top $27 billion this year.
  • Major buyers now demand local production and supply chains.
  • Korean firms must adapt to become long-term industrial partners.
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Strategic Implications

Korea's defense industry may face challenges in balancing export expansion with technology protection, which could impact its long-term competitiveness in the global market. The shift towards local production and supply chains suggests a need for Korean firms to invest in overseas manufacturing and share technologies, which may pose risks to their domestic production networks.

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What Happened

Korean Defense Firms Face New Challenges In Global Market

Korea’s defense industry is at a critical crossroads, as its export boom gives way to a new phase in which major overseas buyers are demanding local production and supply chains in their own markets. The nation’s defense exports have rapidly expanded across Europe and other regions, with major customers such as Poland increasingly seeking technology transfers and industrial cooperation. According to industry officials, Korean defense firms must adapt to become long-term industrial partners, rather than just arms exporters, to sustain their global growth. This was reported by The Korea Times.

Source | Originally Published: September 19, 2026

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JUMPSEAT
AEROSPACE NEWS
JUMPSEAT
AEROSPACE NEWS

Korea's Defense Exports Enter New Phase

Sponsored by: Jumpseat Solutions
Key Takeaways
  • Korea's defense exports reached $9.5 billion in 2024 and $15.4 billion in 2025.
  • Exports are forecast to top $27 billion this year.
  • Major buyers now demand local production and supply chains.
  • Korean firms must adapt to become long-term industrial partners.
Sign in to view key takeaways Get full access to in-depth analysis and key takeaways.
Sign In
Silver membership required Upgrade to Silver to access Key Takeaways.
Upgrade
Strategic Implications

Korea's defense industry may face challenges in balancing export expansion with technology protection, which could impact its long-term competitiveness in the global market. The shift towards local production and supply chains suggests a need for Korean firms to invest in overseas manufacturing and share technologies, which may pose risks to their domestic production networks.

Sign in to view strategic implications Get full access to strategic analysis and expert insights.
Sign In
Silver membership required Upgrade to Silver to access Strategic Implications.
Upgrade

What Happened

Korean Defense Firms Face New Challenges In Global Market

Korea’s defense industry is at a critical crossroads, as its export boom gives way to a new phase in which major overseas buyers are demanding local production and supply chains in their own markets. The nation’s defense exports have rapidly expanded across Europe and other regions, with major customers such as Poland increasingly seeking technology transfers and industrial cooperation. According to industry officials, Korean defense firms must adapt to become long-term industrial partners, rather than just arms exporters, to sustain their global growth. This was reported by The Korea Times.

Source | Originally Published: September 19, 2026

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