South Korea pushes arms exports and plans German ammunition plant under K-Defense drive
South Korea is expanding its defence export market, sealing deals with Croatia and the Philippines while Hanwha Group seeks to build an ammunition facility in Germany.
At the Seoul Defense Dialogue, Premier Han Seong-sook stressed that South Korea's expanding weapons sector serves peace and economic growth, citing recent agreements such as Croatia's acquisition of Chunmoo rocket launchers and the Philippines' plan to upgrade its forces with Korean equipment. The country aims to rank among the top four global arms exporters, a goal first voiced by former President Yoon Suk-yeol and now pursued by President Lee Jae-myung through the K-Defense branding.
Hanwha Group, the largest Korean defence contractor, announced plans to locate a new ammunition plant in Germany, evaluating sites in several federal states and projecting 200-300 jobs. The venture aligns with NATO-aligned trade facilitation and seeks to bolster European supply-chain resilience. Ongoing talks also involve Poland, the United Arab Emirates and the Czech Republic, underscoring South Korea's broadening market reach.
Why it matters
The move reshapes global arms trade, brings high-tech jobs to Europe, and signals South Korea's rising influence in defence markets.
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