South Korea is capitalizing on the global surge in defense spending by expanding its arms exports, driven by the country's unique geopolitical situation and manufacturing capabilities. The nation has long maintained a robust defense sector to counter threats from North Korea and relies heavily on the US military presence for security, according to Park Saing-in, an economist at Seoul National University.

While high-end military equipment like the US-made F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters are still imported, South Korean manufacturers have excelled in producing mid-range weapons systems. These products are noted for their reliability, rapid delivery, and relatively low prices due to established production lines.

In 2022, South Korea sold 10 missile defense batteries to the United Arab Emirates, which achieved a 96% interception rate during early missile attacks in the ongoing Middle East conflict. The country's weapons exports reached $15.4 billion in 2025, as reported by the Seoul Economic Daily quoting the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

Chun In-bum, a retired South Korean general and senior fellow at the National Institute for Deterrence Studies, highlighted South Korea's success in improving and competitively pricing products, drawing parallels with its earlier achievements in consumer electronics. He emphasized the national imperative of advancing defense manufacturing given the persistent threat from North Korea.

South Korea's government has also invested heavily in research and development to reduce dependence on foreign military equipment and to keep pace with other nations' defense capabilities. Despite losing some industrial sectors to China, South Korea remains strong in semiconductors, automobiles, ships, and increasingly, defense manufacturing.

This strategic focus on defense exports has gained momentum since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, positioning South Korea as a significant player in the global arms market.

Sources