On the 2nd (local time), South Korean defense companies will participate in the largest exhibition in Eastern Europe, the International Defense Industry Exhibition (MSPO) 2025. As European leaders mention the possibility of a prolonged Russia-Ukraine war, there are analyses that this exhibition will present opportunities for domestic companies.
According to the defense industry, Hyundai Rotem, Hanwha Group's three defense companies, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), and HYUNDAI WIA will participate in the MSPO held in Kielce, Poland, from the 2nd to the 5th.
The MSPO has been held annually since 1993, and last year saw about 30,000 visitors and defense companies from 35 countries. Domestic companies will each set up exhibition halls and showcase either developed or under-development weapons systems.
With the possibility of a prolonged Russia-Ukraine war being mentioned, this year's MSPO is drawing attention. Friedrich Merz, the German chancellor, noted in an interview with domestic media on the 31st of last month (local time), "We are preparing for the possibility that this war will last a long time," adding, "We are trying to end the war as soon as possible, but not at the cost of Ukraine's surrender." Thierry Burkard, the chief of staff of France, also mentioned on the 28th of last month that "due to the characteristics of Russian society and power, it will last longer."
In the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war, Europe has been increasing its military capabilities. Over the past five years, Korea has been increasing weapons system sales to NATO member countries. South Korean defense companies plan to market their Europe-specific products.
Hyundai Rotem, which will set up a separate exhibition hall at this year's MSPO, will unveil the K2PL, a Poland-specific K2 tank, for the first time. The 6.5 billion dollars (approximately 9 trillion won) second implementation contract for K2 tanks signed with Poland in July includes the K2PL. It is a customized tank that adds active protection systems and drone jammers, which were the Polish military's requirements, to the K2 tank platform. Hyundai Rotem plans to inform various European countries that it can reflect the required performance of each country. Norway and Romania have also shown interest in Hyundai Rotem's tanks.
Hanwha, which has set up an integrated exhibition hall for the three defense companies, will be led by Hanwha Ocean. Hanwha Ocean has challenged the Orca project, which is the Polish military's submarine acquisition project. The exhibition will include the Jangbogo-III Batch-II submarine, which carries torpedoes and anti-ship/cruise missiles, as well as the world's first lithium-ion energy storage system for submarines developed by Hanwha Aerospace and a hydrogen fuel cell-based air-independent propulsion system.
Hanwha Aerospace is aiming to expand its business in Europe at this year's MSPO. The demand for armored vehicles has increased in Europe, with current projects ongoing in Romania for acquiring armored vehicles. Hanwha Aerospace plans to showcase the Redback armored vehicle exported to Australia at the MSPO to promote its products.
Hanwha System plans to exhibit long-range surface-to-air guided weapons systems (L-SAM) multifunctional radars, among other items. A representative from Hanwha Aerospace said, "We plan to increase supplies to existing export countries and explore new export countries."
KAI will focus on unmanned systems, showcasing next-generation air combat systems (NACS) integrated with unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAV) and multipurpose unmanned aerial vehicles (AAP), as well as applying air-launched unmanned systems (ALE) to Korean helicopters Surion and light armed helicopters Miron. HYUNDAI WIA also plans to seek exports to Europe, having set up its own exhibition hall. HYUNDAI WIA is expanding its business scope from automotive parts to defense. This year at MSPO, the company plans to unveil its new model, the lightweight 105mm self-propelled howitzer.