Executive Summary

South Korea has steadily reconstructed its defense industrial base into a competitive, self-financing global arsenal that is steadily entrenching itself as a key structural partner in Western defense production systems. The South Korean defense industry seems likely to maintain a steady course forward, regardless of domestic political or governance changes. 

The top-4 defense producers of South Korea have tremendously increased their export shares in the last few years. They have further entrenched themselves as exporters and key investment partners, even in American shipyards and naval asset structures. 

Recent shifts in South Korea’s political landscape have done little to deter or slow down the pace of change. The country’s defense industries have deeply entrenched themselves as key suppliers for NATO, EU and Western allied militaries. South Korean ambitions to embolden this position by 2030 show signs of abatement.