[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] All 'K-Luxury Weapons' Deployed in Poland

Large Participation of Domestic Companies at Poland Defense Exhibition
Showcasing New Weapon Systems to Target European Market

Hanwha Group and LIG Nex1 are making an all-out effort at Poland's largest defense exhibition to capture the European market, which has emerged as a major buyer of Korean defense companies.

Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems, and Hanwha Ocean, defense affiliates of Hanwha Group, announced on the 4th that they will showcase advanced weapon systems in the unmanned and land, sea, air, and space sectors at the International Defense Industry Exhibition (MSPO 2023) held in Kielce, Poland, from the 5th to the 8th.

Since 1993, MSPO has been Poland's largest international defense exhibition, marking its 31st edition this year. Poland selects a leading country each year to deliver opening speeches, hold high-level talks, and conduct joint seminars, and this year, South Korea was chosen as the leading country.

Korean defense companies are participating in MSPO because Poland has emerged as the largest export defense market, signing contracts worth 17 trillion won with Korea last year. Through basic contracts importing 48 FA-50 light attack aircraft, 980 K2 tanks, and 648 K9 self-propelled howitzers, Poland accounted for 72% of Korea's defense exports last year.

With a second contract scheduled for the second half of this year, the export scale is expected to expand further. The weapons ordered in the second contract include K2 tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers, and the Cheonmu multiple rocket launcher (K-239). The contract size is reported to reach 30 trillion won.

This exhibition is the first global event jointly participated in after the launch of Hanwha Aerospace's integrated company in April and Hanwha Ocean's incorporation into the group in May. Hanwha set up a large integrated exhibition hall of 375㎡ (about 113 pyeong) at the center of the Korean pavilion. At the center, a weapon system featuring the unmanned reconnaissance vehicle, a future defense robot under system development led by the Agency for Defense Development, equipped with the Cheongeom surface-to-surface guided missile, was unveiled for the first time.

The explosive detection and disposal robot also made its first public appearance ahead of domestic mass production. Although improvised explosive device (EOD) robots exist overseas, most mine detection requires personnel to carry equipment directly. However, the explosive detection and disposal robot developed by Korea can detect mines without additional personnel deployment.

Hanwha Aerospace established a corporation in Poland in the first half of this year and recently completed the corporate registration process. This is the company's first overseas corporation established in Europe. If the second basic contract is concluded, the company plans to build a global production base to meet the rapidly increasing European demand through local production in Poland. Hanwha Aerospace and the Polish government plan to conclude the second execution contract by the end of this year through additional negotiations.

With increasing global demand for submarine replacements in countries including Poland, the Netherlands, and Canada, Hanwha Ocean is targeting the maritime defense market by exhibiting a model of the 3,000-ton class submarine ‘Jangbogo-III Batch-II’. This model is the world's second diesel hybrid submarine equipped with lithium-ion batteries. Compared to conventional lead-acid batteries, its submerged endurance is tripled. The lithium-ion battery, jointly developed with Hanwha Aerospace, is applied, and Hanwha Systems' combat system is installed, making it a synergy case among affiliates. Hanwha Ocean recently announced a strategy to secure overseas defense bases in Europe and North America by investing about 900 billion won, roughly half of the 2 trillion won raised through a recent capital increase.

Hanwha Systems unveiled optimal technology for ‘future combat’ that connects land, sea, and air weapon systems in real-time networks under the worst conditions with reconnaissance solutions in space. Low Earth orbit satellites provide smooth communication services during wartime and disaster situations, and ultra-small SAR satellites enable clear observation even in bad weather.

A Hanwha Group official said, "We expect next-generation cooperative projects based on mutual trust between the two countries at this exhibition," adding, "We hope the second export will proceed quickly and serve as an opportunity for Korean weapon systems to expand their foothold in Europe."

LIG Nex1 will showcase air-launched guided weapons such as KGGB (Korean GPS Guided Bomb), long-range air-to-ground guided missiles, as well as ground-guided weapons like Hyungung and Shingung, and drone-related products at this exhibition.

Developed under the leadership of the Agency for Defense Development, KGGB can be mounted and operated on various aircraft, including the FA-50. Equipped with a ‘mid-range GPS guidance kit,’ it enables long-range attacks and all-weather precision strikes day and night, and can also counter GPS jamming. The long-range air-to-ground guided missile, also developed under the Agency for Defense Development, is the first domestically developed air-launched guided missile capable of precision strikes on key targets hundreds of kilometers away and is a core armament of the KF-21.

Additionally, LIG Nex1 will present attack drones such as small reconnaissance and strike hybrid drones, the portable surface-to-air guided weapon ‘Shingung,’ and the infantry mid-range guided weapon ‘Hyungung.’

Kim Ji-chan, CEO of LIG Nex1, said, "Through this exhibition, we will showcase the technological competitiveness secured by LIG Nex1 and enhance the brand awareness of LIG Nex1 as a leading Korean defense industry company, solidifying its status as a global defense company."

Hyundai Rotem exhibited the actual vehicles of the Polish K2 tank (K2GF MBT) and the upgraded K808 wheeled armored vehicle for the first time at an overseas defense exhibition. Since the first export contract for 180 units of urgent demand was signed in August last year, a total of 28 units have been delivered early to the local market this year, with delivery scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025.

The upgraded K808 wheeled armored vehicle is equipped with a remote-controlled weapon station (RCWS) and enhanced protection capabilities against anti-tank mines and improvised explosive devices, promising improved combat performance. The Polish upgraded model lineup, K2PL (K2 Poland), will also be unveiled, including the Polish-type K2 tank (K2PL MBT) and affiliated vehicles such as the recovery vehicle (K2PL ARV), engineering vehicle (K2PL AEV), and bridge-layer vehicle (K2PL AVLB), totaling four types. In addition, future ground weapon systems such as the new 30-ton class NV armored vehicle, defense drones, and multipurpose unmanned vehicles will be showcased.

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) presented next-generation main models including the Polish export version FA-50PL fighter, the KF-21 Korean fighter jet which has received provisional combat suitability certification, the light armed helicopter (LAH), the vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial vehicle NI-500VT, and unmanned AAV. In particular, KAI plans to focus marketing efforts on FA-50 and KF-21 targeting major European countries with fighter replacement demand. KAI also plans to meet key NATO member officials to introduce the excellence of FA-50 and KF-21 and identify potential customers.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.