[WEEKENDER] What are Korea's flagship K-defense exports?

Korea’s defense exports have expanded through systems such as the K9 Thunder, Redback IFV, FA-50, KF-21 Boramae, K2 tank, Cheongung-II and Bigung. The article says these weapons are gaining global traction because of competitive prices, advanced technology and fast delivery. Poland is the largest customer for the K9 and K2, Australia is the first major customer for Redback, and the UAE and Saudi Arabia are key buyers of Cheongung-II.

The K9 Thunder is a 155-millimeter self-propelled howitzer used or being introduced by countries including Poland, Australia, Egypt, India, Norway, Finland, Estonia and Turkey.

The FA-50 was ordered in 48 units by Poland and 18 units by Malaysia, and the Philippines and Indonesia have also operated or acquired the aircraft family.

The KF-21 Boramae is Korea’s homegrown 4.5-generation fighter, and Indonesia has been viewed as a potential first export customer.

The K2 tank uses a 120-millimeter smoothbore gun and automatic loading system, and Poland is currently its only overseas operator.

Cheongung-II is a medium-range surface-to-air missile system developed by LIG Defense & Aerospace, and the UAE became its first major foreign customer with a multibillion-dollar contract, followed by Saudi Arabia.

Published Sep 19, 2026 7:00 am KST

Hyundai Rotem’s Poland-specific K2PL battle tank is displayed at the 34th International Defence Industry Exhibition in Kielce, Sept. 8. Courtesy of Hyundai Rotem

Korea has emerged as a major player in the global defense market, with its domestically developed weapons systems gaining traction for their competitive prices, advanced technology and fast delivery.

From artillery and tanks to fighter jets and missile defense systems, Korean defense companies are expanding their global footprint and reshaping the country’s position in the international arms industry.

A K9 Thunder howitzer is pictured ahead of a military exercise at a training range in Torun, Poland, Feb. 23, 2023. AFP-Yonhap

The K9 Thunder is Korea’s flagship self-propelled howitzer and one of the country’s most successful defense export items.

Designed to provide mobile, long-range artillery fire support for ground forces, the 155-millimeter system can rapidly move, fire and relocate, making it well-suited to modern, highly mobile battlefields.

The K9 is now used or being introduced by a growing list of countries, including Poland, Australia, Egypt, India, Norway, Finland, Estonia and Turkey. Poland has emerged as its largest export customer under a major deal to reinforce its artillery capabilities in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Redback infantry fighting vehicle / Courtesy of Hanwha Aerospace

The Redback is Hanwha Aerospace’s next-generation infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), designed to carry troops and provide heavy firepower and protection on the battlefield.

It features a 30-millimeter cannon, anti-tank missiles, advanced sensors and an active protection system to intercept incoming threats. Unlike the widely exported K9, the Redback is still at an early stage of international deployment, with Australia as its first major customer.

Canberra selected the Redback for its infantry fighting vehicle program, with production taking place in Australia as part of a deeper industrial partnership. The Australian program is expected to serve as an important showcase for the vehicle as Hanwha seeks additional customers in Europe and other markets.

A Korean Air Force FA-50 light attack aircraft takes off from an air base in Wonju, Gangwon Province, for a live-fire exercise, March 7, 2024. Yonhap

The FA-50 is Korea’s most commercially successful military aircraft, combining the functions of a light combat aircraft and an advanced trainer. Developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), it can perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions while offering a relatively affordable alternative to larger fighter jets.

The aircraft has attracted customers seeking to modernize aging fleets without the cost of heavier fighters. Poland has ordered 48 FA-50s, while Malaysia signed a deal for 18 aircraft, adding to KAI’s export presence in Southeast Asia.

The Philippines and Indonesia have also operated or acquired the FA-50 family. Its relatively low operating costs, Western-compatible systems and rapid delivery have helped make it one of Korea’s most visible defense exports.

The first mass-produced KF-21 fighter jet is unveiled at Korea Aerospace Industries’ headquarters in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, March 25. Korea Times photo by Wang Tae-seog

The KF-21 Boramae — also developed by KAI — is Korea’s homegrown 4.5-generation fighter and the centerpiece of its ambition to move beyond light combat aircraft into the high-end fighter jet market. Designed primarily for the Republic of Korea Air Force, the twin-engine jet combines advanced avionics, modern sensors and a large weapons payload for air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

Unlike the FA-50, the KF-21 has yet to establish a mature export market, making potential overseas sales a key test of Korea’s aerospace ambitions.

Indonesia, which participated in the development program, has been viewed as a potential first export customer. The Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries are also regarded as possible future markets as the aircraft enters mass production.

A K2 tank is seen during a military drill at a military training range in Wierzbiny, near Orzysz, Poland, March 30, 2023. Reuters-Yonhap

Hyundai Rotem’s K2 is the nation’s main battle tank and flagship armored vehicle export product.

Equipped with a 120-millimeter smoothbore gun, automatic loading system and advanced fire-control technology, the K2 is designed for high mobility and precision engagement across demanding terrain.

Poland has become its dominant export customer, signing contracts for hundreds of K2 tanks as part of a sweeping military modernization program following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Poland is currently the K2’s only overseas operator, making the country a critical test bed for Hyundai Rotem’s broader push into the European armored-vehicle market.

Republic of Korea Air Force personnel operate a Cheongung-II surface-to-air missile launcher during an integrated defense and recovery exercise in Incheon, Aug. 20. Yonhap

Cheongung-II is a medium-range surface-to-air missile system developed by LIG Defense & Aerospace (D&A). It is designed to intercept both aircraft and ballistic missiles. It combines a multifunction radar, command-and-control technology and hit-to-kill interceptors to defend key military and strategic facilities.

The system has become one of Korea’s biggest defense export successes in the Middle East. The United Arab Emirates became its first major foreign customer with a multibillion-dollar contract, followed by Saudi Arabia. Iraq has also moved to acquire the system.

Its strong performance in a region increasingly concerned about ballistic missiles and drones has helped turn Cheongung-II into a flagship example of Korea’s growing position in the global air defense market.

LIG Defense & Aerospace's 2.75-inch guided rocket, Bigung, also known as Poniard, is shown in this undated photo. Courtesy of LIG Defense & Aerospace

Bigung is a 2.75-inch guided rocket developed also by LIG D&A for precision strikes against maritime targets.

Small and relatively inexpensive compared with conventional anti-ship missiles, the weapon is designed to be launched from naval vessels and other platforms, offering a flexible option for coastal and ship-to-ship engagements.

Its biggest potential market is the United States, where the system has attracted attention after successfully completing the Pentagon’s Foreign Comparative Testing program.

LIG D&A is pursuing entry into the U.S. defense market, potentially giving Bigung a role in Washington’s effort to field larger numbers of affordable precision weapons. Unlike Korea’s established exports, such as K9 and FA-50, Bigung remains an emerging export prospect.

韩国国防出口通过K9“雷霆”自行高炮、“红背蜘蛛”步兵战车、FA-50战斗机、KF-21“波拉梅”战斗机、K2坦克、“天宫-II”自行高炮和“比宫”自行高炮等系统不断扩大。文章指出，这些武器凭借其价格优势、先进技术和快速交付能力，正在全球范围内获得广泛认可。波兰是K9和K2的最大客户，澳大利亚是“红背蜘蛛”的首要客户，而阿联酋和沙特阿拉伯则是“天宫-II”的主要买家。

K9 Thunder 是一款 155 毫米自行榴弹炮，波兰、澳大利亚、埃及、印度、挪威、芬兰、爱沙尼亚和土耳其等国正在使用或引进该型火炮。

波兰订购了 48 架 FA-50，马来西亚订购了 18 架，菲律宾和印度尼西亚也运营或购买了该系列飞机。

KF-21 Boramae 是韩国自主研发的 4.5 代战斗机，而印度尼西亚被视为潜在的首个出口客户。

K2坦克采用120毫米滑膛炮和自动装弹系统，波兰目前是其唯一的海外用户。

“天宫-II”是由LIG国防与航空航天公司开发的中程地对空导弹系统，阿联酋成为其第一个主要外国客户，签订了数十亿美元的合同，随后是沙特阿拉伯。

发布于2026年9月19日 上午7:00（韩国标准时间）

现代Rotem公司专为波兰市场研发的K2PL主战坦克于9月8日在基尔采举行的第34届国际防务工业展览会上展出。图片由现代Rotem公司提供。

韩国已成为全球国防市场的主要参与者，其自主研发的武器系统凭借其具有竞争力的价格、先进的技术和快速的交付速度而备受青睐。

从火炮和坦克到战斗机和导弹防御系统，韩国国防企业正在扩大其全球影响力，并重塑韩国在国际军火工业中的地位。

2023年2月23日，在波兰托伦的一个训练场，一门K9“雷霆”榴弹炮在军事演习前亮相。（法新社/韩联社）

K9“雷霆”自行榴弹炮是韩国的旗舰级自行榴弹炮，也是该国最成功的国防出口产品之一。

该155毫米火炮系统旨在为地面部队提供机动、远程火炮火力支援，能够快速移动、开火和重新部署，使其非常适合现代高度机动的战场。

目前，包括波兰、澳大利亚、埃及、印度、挪威、芬兰、爱沙尼亚和土耳其在内的越来越多的国家正在使用或引进K9自行火炮。在俄罗斯入侵乌克兰之后，波兰与俄罗斯达成了一项重大协议，旨在加强其炮兵能力，波兰也因此成为K9最大的出口客户。

红背蜘蛛步兵战车 / 图片由韩华航空航天公司提供

“红背蜘蛛”是韩华航空航天公司的下一代步兵战车（IFV），旨在运送部队并在战场上提供强大的火力和防护。

它配备一门30毫米火炮、反坦克导弹、先进传感器和主动防御系统，用于拦截来袭威胁。与广泛出口的K9装甲车不同，“红背蜘蛛”装甲车的国际部署仍处于早期阶段，澳大利亚是其首个主要客户。

堪培拉选择“红背蜘蛛”步兵战车作为其步兵战车项目的一部分，并将在澳大利亚进行生产，这是双方深化产业合作的一部分。预计澳大利亚项目将成为该战车的重要展示平台，韩华公司也希望借此在欧洲和其他市场拓展客户。

2024年3月7日，一架韩国空军FA-50轻型攻击机从江原道原州市的一个空军基地起飞，进行实弹演习。（韩联社）

FA-50是韩国最畅销的军用飞机，它集轻型战斗机和高级教练机的功能于一体。该机由韩国航空航天工业公司（KAI）研发，能够执行空对空和空对地任务，同时价格相对低廉，是大型战斗机的理想替代方案。

这款战机吸引了众多希望以较低成本升级老旧机队的客户，他们希望购置更重型的战斗机。波兰已订购48架FA-50，马来西亚也签署了18架的订单，进一步扩大了韩国航空航天工业公司（KAI）在东南亚的出口份额。

菲律宾和印度尼西亚也已装备或采购了FA-50系列战斗机。其相对较低的运营成本、与西方兼容的系统以及快速交付，使其成为韩国最引人注目的国防出口产品之一。

3月25日，首架量产型KF-21战斗机在韩国航空航天工业公司位于庆尚南道泗川市的总部亮相。（韩国时报 王泰锡 摄）

KF-21“波拉梅”战斗机——同样由韩国航空航天工业公司（KAI）研发——是韩国自主研发的4.5代战斗机，也是韩国从轻型战斗机进军高端战斗机市场的核心战略。这款双引擎喷气式战斗机主要为韩国空军设计，融合了先进的航空电子设备、现代化传感器以及强大的武器载荷，可执行空对空和空对地作战任务。

与 FA-50 不同，KF-21 尚未建立成熟的出口市场，因此潜在的海外销售是检验韩国航空航天雄心的关键试金石。

参与该研发项目的印度尼西亚被视为潜在的首个出口客户。随着飞机进入量产阶段，菲律宾和其他东南亚国家也被视为未来的潜在市场。

2023年3月30日，在波兰奥日什附近的维尔兹比尼军事训练场，一辆K2坦克正在进行军事演习。（路透社-韩联社）

现代Rotem公司的K2是韩国的主战坦克和旗舰装甲车辆出口产品。

K2 配备 120 毫米滑膛炮、自动装弹系统和先进的火控技术，旨在实现高机动性和在复杂地形上的精确打击。

波兰已成为其主要出口客户，在俄罗斯入侵乌克兰后，波兰签署了数百辆 K2 坦克的合同，作为一项全面的军事现代化计划的一部分。

波兰目前是 K2 的唯一海外运营商，这使得波兰成为现代 Rotem 更广泛地进军欧洲装甲车市场的关键试验场。

8月20日，韩国空军人员在仁川参加综合防御与恢复演习，操作“天宫-II”地对空导弹发射装置。（韩联社）

“天宫-II”是由LIG国防与航空航天公司（D&A）研制的一种中程地对空导弹系统。它旨在拦截飞机和弹道导弹，并结合了多功能雷达、指挥控制技术和直接命中拦截器，用于保卫重要的军事和战略设施。

该系统已成为韩国在中东地区最成功的国防出口项目之一。阿联酋成为其首个主要外国客户，并签署了价值数十亿美元的合同，随后沙特阿拉伯也加入了采购行列。伊拉克也已着手采购该系统。

在日益关注弹道导弹和无人机的地区，其强劲的表现帮助“天宫二号”成为韩国在全球防空市场地位不断提升的旗舰项目。

这张未注明日期的照片展示了LIG国防与航空航天公司生产的2.75英寸制导火箭“比贡”（Bigung），又名“波尼亚德”（Poniard）。照片由LIG国防与航空航天公司提供。

Bigung 是 LIG D&A 开发的一款 2.75 英寸制导火箭，用于对海上目标进行精确打击。

与传统的反舰导弹相比，这种武器体积小、价格相对便宜，设计用于从海军舰艇和其他平台发射，为沿海作战和舰对舰作战提供了灵活的选择。

该系统的最大潜在市场是美国，该系统在成功完成五角大楼的外国对比测试计划后引起了美国的关注。

LIG D&A公司正寻求进入美国国防市场，这可能使Bigung导弹在华盛顿大规模部署价格适中的精确制导武器的计划中发挥作用。与韩国已成熟的出口产品（如K9和FA-50）不同，Bigung导弹仍是一种新兴的出口产品。