Defense Companies Venturing into the Middle East Market

EOSYSTEM plans to use this exhibition as an opportunity to understand the local market and expand exports of complex electro-optical equipment such as combined thermal periscopes, EO/IR for drones, and binocular night vision devices.

Hyundai Rotem plans to focus its marketing activities for the export of K2 tanks primarily on regions with tank demand, such as the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.

Hanwha Group operated an integrated exhibition hall at this exhibition, featuring three themes: ▲defense equipment ▲ground equipment ▲defense electronics, showcasing a product lineup specialized for the local market.

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Domestic defense companies are focusing on defense exports by participating in the international defense industry exhibition ‘IDEX 2021,’ held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, from the 21st to the 25th.

On the 25th, LIG Nex1, which has continuously participated in defense exhibitions targeting the Middle East as a strategic export market, showcased the ‘Cheongung II’ missile, a key component of the Korean Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) system. Cheongung II is a domestically developed medium-range, medium-altitude surface-to-air interception system designed to simultaneously counter North Korea’s ballistic missile launches and aircraft attacks. It is designed to intercept missiles flying at altitudes below 20 km at speeds exceeding Mach 5.

Cheongung II incorporates engagement control technology and multifunction radar ballistic missile tracking technology for ballistic missile interception. The guided missile applies world-class technologies such as forward wing-controlled aerodynamic design and control technology, and continuous thrust side thrust to ensure rapid response times.

A representative from LIG Nex1 said, "Through this exhibition, we showcased various weapon systems that will serve as game changers on future battlefields, including Cheongung II, regarded as a core force of the Korean Air and Missile Defense system (KAMD), anti-tank missile Hyeongung, multipurpose small drones, wearable robots, and unmanned surface vessels."

Hyundai Rotem presented the K2 tank along with an obstacle-clearing tank capable of removing mines and various obstacles. They also introduced the multipurpose unmanned vehicle ‘HR-SHERPA,’ which supports unmanned and autonomous driving.

In particular, Hyundai Rotem plans to focus marketing efforts on exporting the K2 tank to regions with tank demand such as the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. The Middle East variant of the K2 tank is a modified version of Korea’s K2 tank designed to operate in high-temperature environments like deserts. It features improved engine cooling performance and high-temperature tracks to maintain mobility in the Middle East’s hot climate.

Additionally, the HR-SHERPA is an electric-driven multipurpose unmanned vehicle powered by batteries, capable of various configurations depending on its purpose, such as fire support, surveillance reconnaissance, and logistics transport. It is equipped with remote control functions, a follower mode that automatically tracks soldiers in front of the vehicle, and autonomous driving capabilities.

A Hyundai Rotem representative said, "We will continue efforts to promote the competitiveness of various products such as the K2 tank and HR-SHERPA and pioneer new overseas markets through this exhibition. We will strengthen growth engines in the defense sector by continuously developing advanced products such as network-based unmanned vehicles suitable for future combat environments."

Hanwha Group participated with all three of its defense affiliates. Notably, they unveiled for the first time a ‘Remote Controlled Weapon System’ (RCWS) for wheeled armored vehicles, along with multipurpose unmanned vehicles and ground equipment developed in-house. Hanwha Group operated an integrated exhibition hall composed of three themes: defense equipment, ground equipment, and defense electronics, showcasing a product lineup tailored to the local market.

In the Defense Robot Zone, Hanwha Defense exhibited a multipurpose unmanned vehicle developed from 2016 to 2019 as a civilian-military cooperation project in Korea. This 4-wheel-drive electric propulsion defense robot demonstrated unmanned technologies such as remote driving, soldier automatic following, autonomous movement, and obstacle avoidance through pilot operations, gaining attention.

Hanwha Defense also showcased the actual model of the independently developed wheeled armored vehicle-mounted RCWS for the first time. RCWS is an ‘untact’ weapon system mounted on ships, armored vehicles, self-propelled artillery, and tactical vehicles, designed to safely protect friendly crew members on the battlefield. The RCWS displayed for wheeled armored vehicles is a lightweight model weighing 130 kg.

In the Ground Equipment Zone, Korea’s representative ground weapon systems such as the K9 self-propelled howitzer, K10 ammunition resupply vehicle, and Biho complex were introduced. Export-oriented ground equipment like the ‘TIGON’ wheeled armored vehicle and the future tracked armored vehicle ‘REDBACK’ were also exhibited. Additionally, Hanwha Systems introduced the Combat Management System (CMS) developed by Hanwha Systems, an advanced system installed on all ships and submarines operated by the Republic of Korea Navy.

An Byeong-cheol, Executive Director of Hanwha Defense’s Overseas Business Division, stated, "We will actively promote customized defense solutions suitable for the Middle East and Africa regions and take the lead in pioneering overseas markets for ‘K-Defense.’"

S&T Motiv, a small-caliber firearms specialist, displayed the recently developed 5.56mm K15 series and 7.62mm K-12 series, unveiling a diverse lineup suitable for Middle Eastern countries. In particular, the 7.62mm machine guns demonstrated the extensibility of small-caliber firearms through various utilities, including crew-served, infantry, and coaxial types.

Moreover, S&T Motiv showcased the STC-16 rifle and STSM-21 submachine gun, developed with proprietary technology, proving the global technological prowess of the ‘K’ series. The STC-16 introduced AR-type firearm manufacturing technology, a first attempt by S&T Motiv, to the Middle Eastern market, confirming its potential to be competitive not only in the Korean military but also in the global market.

S&T Heavy Industries introduced the world-class 120mm mortar system to the overseas market for the first time, attracting active interest and purchase intentions from buyers in Middle Eastern countries and others. The 120mm mortar system is a weapon system developed independently by S&T Heavy Industries to replace the 4.2-inch mortar previously used by the Korean military. It applies advanced digital technology, contributing to the tactical operations of the Korean military with high accuracy, rapid response, and extended range, receiving favorable reviews.

An S&T Group representative said, "Through this exhibition, active export consultations were conducted with defense officials from 34 countries, including the host country UAE, Middle Eastern countries, Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa. We will continue overseas marketing efforts to increase exports and contribute to national wealth creation."

Among small and medium-sized enterprises, EO System took the lead in pioneering the Middle Eastern market. EO System has consistently participated in this exhibition since the 2000s, focusing on the Middle Eastern market. Since 2014, it has supplied thermal sights, thermal imaging devices, combined thermal imaging devices, night vision devices, and daytime sights to the Middle East, achieving export results worth approximately 50 million USD.

EO System plans to use this exhibition as an opportunity to understand the local market and expand exports of complex electro-optical equipment such as combined thermal periscopes, EO/IR for drones, and binocular night vision devices.

Ham Tae-heon, CEO of EO System, said, "The Middle Eastern market is a very important market for EO System as a stepping stone for export expansion. If the past 10 years were the first stage of pioneering the Middle Eastern market, now is the time to leap to the next stage."

IDEX, held biennially since 1993, is the largest integrated land, sea, and air defense exhibition in the Middle East. This year, 1,240 companies from 62 countries worldwide participated. More than 15 domestic defense companies, including Hyundai Rotem, participated in this exhibition to showcase their main products and technological capabilities.