‘K-Defense Export’ This Time Targeting the Middle East

Hanwha, LIG Nex1 and 29 Defense Companies Participate
Small Businesses Showcase Key Products and Marketing Efforts

[Abu Dhabi=Joint Coverage by Ministry of National Defense and Asia Economy Military Specialist Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] President Yoon Suk-yeol made a state visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last January, securing investments worth $30 billion (37 trillion KRW). He signed 48 memorandums of understanding (MOUs) covering not only traditional cooperation areas such as defense, nuclear power, and energy but also future growth engines like hydrogen, bio, smart farms, and digital transformation, leading to evaluations that a new "Middle East Spring" has begun.

Joining this wave of defense exports, 1,350 companies from 65 countries worldwide participated in the UAE International Defense Exhibition (IDEX). Each company is actively conducting sales activities in the UAE based on their products and technological capabilities. In particular, domestic companies showcased key weapons at this exhibition to win fierce contract battles against defense powerhouses such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

Hanwha's three defense companies (Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems, Hanwha Defense) showcased a model of the Redback infantry fighting vehicle (Hanwha Aerospace) equipped with the Cheonggeom (Hanwha Defense) modified into a surface-to-surface missile. They also exhibited a model of the domestically produced premium self-propelled howitzer, the K9 (Hanwha Aerospace). (Photo by Ministry of National Defense Joint Press Corps)

◆ The Largest Ever 2023 IDEX Held = The Korea Defense Industry Promotion Association (KDIPA) announced on the 21st that Korean companies participated in the International Defense Exhibition (IDEX) held from the 20th (local time) to the 24th at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) in the UAE.

The IDEX exhibition is the largest international arms fair in the Middle East, held every two years since its opening in 1993. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the exhibition, with 1,350 companies from 65 countries participating, setting a record for the largest scale ever. The exhibition hall also expanded by about 20% to 165,000 square meters compared to the previous event.

In front of the National Exhibition Centre where IDEX is held, a huge crowd gathered from 7 a.m. on the 20th, four hours before the event started, all trying to enter the exhibition hall. Especially, Entrance No. 3, closest to the Korean Pavilion, was so crowded with people standing in layers that the entrance itself was not visible. The sounds of people speaking in various languages filled the air. Some visitors dressed in traditional Islamic attire were seen filming explanations by booth staff with their smartphones at the Korean Pavilion.

This exhibition featured booths from 29 domestic defense companies. Seventeen defense companies, including Hyundai Rotem, Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), LIG Nex1, Poongsan, SNT Motive, and Kia, set up individual booths. Twelve small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) such as Dongin Optics, Yeonhap Precision, and Wooribyeol occupied the SME pavilion arranged by KDIPA and conducted marketing activities.

Park Dong-won, Executive Director of KDIPA, said, "The UAE is striving to strengthen its defense capabilities through joint production with foreign companies, establishing joint ventures, and technology transfers, moving away from past reliance on overseas procurement. We will strengthen defense cooperation with the UAE through this IDEX 2023 exhibition."

KAI showcased its main aircraft including the FA-50, KF-21, Light Armed Helicopter (LAH), Marine Attack Helicopter (MAH), and vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial vehicles. In particular, the multipurpose transport aircraft being jointly developed with the UAE was revealed to be capable of transporting up to a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. (Photo by Ministry of National Defense Joint Press Corps)

◆ 17 Major Defense Companies Set Up Individual Booths… KAI Multipurpose Transport Aircraft, Hanwha Cheongung Displayed = Seventeen major domestic defense companies set up individual booths and launched active marketing activities. The UAE signed a 4 trillion KRW contract for the 'Cheongung-II' medium-range surface-to-air guided missile with LIG Nex1 last January and signed an MOU for joint development of a multipurpose transport aircraft with KAI this January, marking the beginning of practical defense cooperation.

KAI showcased its main aircraft including the FA-50, KF-21, light armed helicopter (LAH), marine attack helicopter (MAH), and vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial vehicles. Notably, the multipurpose transport aircraft jointly developed with the UAE was revealed to be capable of transporting up to the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.

Kang Gu-young, CEO of KAI, stated, "During the President's state visit last January, we signed an MOU with the UAE for joint development of a transport aircraft. Through participation in this exhibition, we are striving to further develop and concretize the MOU."

Hanwha's three defense companies (Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems, Hanwha Defense) displayed a model of the Redback infantry fighting vehicle (Hanwha Aerospace) equipped with the Cheonggeom surface-to-surface missile (Hanwha Defense) and a model of the domestically produced premium self-propelled howitzer K9 (Hanwha Aerospace).

Uh Seong-cheol, CEO of Hanwha Systems, said, "We will showcase advanced defense solutions based on hyperconnectivity along with already proven weapon systems to discover cooperation opportunities with local partners and find export opportunities."

LIG Nex1 set up a separate booth in the main exhibition hall and actively engaged in sales targeting overseas buyers. LIG showcased the Cheongung-II missile contracted with the UAE, as well as the Hyungung anti-ship and surface-to-surface missiles and the Hyungung launcher.

Kim Ji-chan, CEO of LIG Nex1, said, "Through this exhibition, LIG Nex1 will solidify its status as a leading company promoting K-defense in the Middle East and strengthen its position as a global defense company."

Hyundai Rotem promoted a localized model of the K2 tank with desert camouflage paint to advance local projects for main products such as tanks, armored vehicles, and multipurpose unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) in the UAE. They also showcased the vision for wheeled armored vehicles, including a wheeled vehicle equipped with a 105mm cannon.

Poongsan plans to focus on promoting large-caliber ammunition for the K2 tank and K9 self-propelled howitzer, which lead K-defense, through this exhibition. SNT Heavy Industries showcased the 1,500-horsepower automatic transmission (EST15K) exported to Turkey's BMC in January this year and the world's first 6-speed forward and 3-speed reverse automatic transmission for tracked vehicles.

SNT Motive displayed various new small-caliber firearms including the STC-16 special operations submachine gun and K15 and K16 machine guns. The STC-16 special operations submachine gun was developed with proprietary technology applying the 'modularization' concept, a global trend in rifle development. It improved accuracy and durability based on the latest manufacturing technology. SNT Motive confirmed that this firearm has the potential to compete not only in the Korean military but also in the global market.

The K15 machine gun, recently introduced into our military, is integrated with day and night aiming devices and can suppress area targets such as densely concentrated enemy forces at long distances, with improved accuracy, reliability, and operational convenience. The K16 machine gun offers small-caliber firearm scalability through various utilities including crew type, infantry type, and coaxial type. Additionally, pistols and sniper rifles were also displayed, demonstrating excellent technological capabilities as a 'global full-lineup' small-caliber firearm manufacturer.

NT Motive showcased various new small-caliber firearms, including the special operations submachine gun STC-16 and the K15 and K16 machine guns. (Photo by SNT Motive)

◆ 12 SMEs Also Set Up Booths in the ‘Korean Pavilion’… Continuous Overseas Buyers = Twelve SMEs also showcased their products and technologies at the 'Korean Pavilion' arranged by KDIPA. Although their booths were small, each actively promoted their flagship products.

Yeonhap Precision, which produces special connectors for weapon system communications, exhibited MIL-STD connectors. MIL-STD connectors are characterized by their application in various fields such as aerospace, electric vehicles, trains, warships, tracked vehicles, guided missiles, and satellites.

Kim Co., Ltd., a precision drive component company, displayed its main product lines including precision gears, ball screws, roller screws, actuators, aerospace actuators (GRA), and gearboxes.

Lotus International exhibited ballistic shields, ballistic helmets and visors, ballistic vests and plates, while Ginomotors displayed riot control vehicles and light armored vehicles. Dongin Science showcased scopes and target indicators, and Sek presented linear accelerator systems and accelerator tubes.

Additionally, they actively promoted ▲ DS Electronics MMIC (high-power amplifier) ▲ Woosung C-Tech ballistic goggles ▲ KDI electronic and mechanical time fuzes ▲ TBT cooled thermal imaging cameras.

Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop also personally participated in the IDEX exhibition to support domestic companies' defense exports. In particular, Minister Lee visited the Korean Pavilion, where SMEs are located, twice to listen to their difficulties and engage in communication to further expand defense exports.

Minister Lee said, "I was able to once again confirm the excellence of the Republic of Korea's defense industry. The Ministry of National Defense will actively promote defense cooperation with various related countries to further enhance the achievements of K-defense and thereby contribute to the national economy," promising active support for defense companies.