South Korean weapons in high demand from Malaysia to Poland, as war in Ukraine rages on

South Korea’s defence exports jumped 134 per cent on year in 2022 to US$17.3 billion, as global buyers looked for weapons to be supplied fast

The country has been ramping up its defence capacity because of the threat from North Korea and has come under pressure to help Ukraine directly

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K9 self-propelled howitzers, which South Korea has exported to Poland, firing artillery shells at a firing range in the north-central city of Torun, Poland, on February 23, 2023. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 8:31am, 1 Mar 2023Updated: 9:22am, 1 Mar 2023

The raging war in Ukraine is propelling the growth of South Korea’s defence industry, with buyers such as Malaysia attracted by its trustworthy weapons that can be supplied at good prices in short order, analysts said.

One year after Russia invaded Ukraine, South Korean weapons manufacturers are being flooded with orders for missiles, self-propelled howitzers, tanks, aircraft and multiple-rocket launchers from across the globe.

South Korea’s defence exports jumped 134 per cent year on year in 2022 to US$17.3 billion, according to the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade (KIET).

Despite being dwarfed by giants such as the United States and Russia, South Korea has risen to become the eighth-largest arms exporter, carving out a 2.8 per cent share of global exports over the five years to 2021 – compared to a 1 per cent share in the previous five years – according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

South Korean soldiers work on K-9 self-propelled howitzers in Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea. Photo: AP

“Weapons-buyers from abroad are beating a path to South Korea’s doors,” said defence industry analyst Jang Won-joon of KIET.

South Korean weapons in high demand from Malaysia to Poland, as war in Ukraine rages on

South Korea’s defence exports jumped 134 per cent on year in 2022 to US$17.3 billion, as global buyers looked for weapons to be supplied fast The country has been ramping up its defence capacity because of the threat from North Korea and has come under pressure to help Ukraine directly

South Korea’s defence exports jumped 134 per cent on year in 2022 to US$17.3 billion, as global buyers looked for weapons to be supplied fast

The country has been ramping up its defence capacity because of the threat from North Korea and has come under pressure to help Ukraine directly