Large-Scale Display of Next-Generation Defense Products
Showcasing Korean Defense in Europe
Hanwha Ocean Targets Next-Generation Submarine Acquisition Project
The domestic defense industry will make a full-scale appearance at Eastern Europe's largest defense exhibition, which will be held in Poland in September. Over the past five years, Poland has accounted for 46% of South Korea's defense exports, making it the largest market. At this exhibition, the industry plans to showcase a wide range of next-generation defense products, aiming to demonstrate the influence of Korean defense in the European market. Although not all exhibits have been revealed yet, based on previous years, there is a high possibility that upgraded main weapons will be unveiled.
Overview of Hyundai Rotem exhibition hall at the Poland International Defense Industry Exhibition. Photo by Hyundai Rotem
According to the defense industry on September 1, MSPO 2025, the largest international defense exhibition in Eastern Europe, will be held from September 2 to 5 (local time) in Kielce, Poland.
Major domestic defense companies, including Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems, Hanwha Ocean, Hyundai Rotem, and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), will participate in MSPO. These companies plan to highlight their price competitiveness and fast delivery times, exhibiting proven platforms that are either currently in operation or have already succeeded in export markets.
Hanwha Group is preparing an integrated exhibition booth. Hanwha Ocean is expected to showcase the Jangbogo-III Batch-II submarine, targeting the Polish Navy's next-generation submarine acquisition project (Orka Project). This submarine is equipped with torpedo launch tubes that can deploy torpedoes, anti-ship, and cruise missiles, as well as vertical launch systems capable of launching submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM). In addition, the company explained that it boasts the longest underwater endurance in its class, powered by the world's first lithium-ion energy storage system (ESS) for submarines developed by Hanwha Aerospace, and a hydrogen fuel cell-based air-independent propulsion system (AIP). Hanwha Systems will introduce the long-range surface-to-air missile system (L-SAM) multifunction radar (MFR), a mobile anti-drone solution, and a small synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite.
Hyundai Rotem, which signed a second-phase contract for K2 tanks with the Polish Armament Agency in August, will focus its efforts at this exhibition on promoting follow-up projects. The company aims to explore business opportunities for broad cooperation, not only in tanks but also in future unmanned technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous driving.
Hyundai Rotem will first unveil a mock-up of the Polish version of the K2 tank, which will be locally produced. The Polish K2 tank, scheduled for production from 2028, will be equipped with an active protection system (APS) capable of countering enemy anti-tank guided missiles and drone threats, as well as a drone jammer (ADS) that disrupts radio signals to prevent drones from operating normally. Additionally, the tank's operational capabilities will be further enhanced with a remote-controlled weapon station (RCWS) and improved special armor. In the future, active protection systems and drone jammers will also be installed on domestic tanks, contributing to safer and more powerful operations for the Korean military.
A full-scale mock-up of the HR-SHERPA, a multipurpose unmanned vehicle integrating Hyundai Motor Group's future technologies such as autonomous driving, AI, and electrification, will also be showcased. Hyundai Rotem's HR-SHERPA was first delivered to the Republic of Korea Army as part of a rapid demonstration acquisition project, contributing to its adoption as military equipment, and continuous research and development (R&D) has taken place through four generations. As an electrified vehicle, the HR-SHERPA can be operated unmanned or remotely, allowing it to perform missions in place of people. Its expandability allows for a variety of equipment to be mounted depending on the intended use, making it suitable not only for military but also civilian applications.
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), which has established a European subsidiary in Poland, will also exhibit the FA-50 and KF-21, an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), a next-generation air combat system (NACS) integrating multipurpose unmanned aerial platforms (AAP), and manned-unmanned teaming systems applying air-launched effects (ALE) to Surion and Miron helicopters. Poongsan will showcase various types of ammunition.
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