Croatia turns to S. Korean rockets as U.S. blocks long-range munitions
Eighteen truck-mounted rocket launchers able to strike targets more than 300 kilometers away are set to enter Croatian service, bought from South Korea after the United States suspended deliveries of the long-range rockets Zagreb had already contracted for. The Croatian government was scheduled to approve the purchase of 18 K239 Chunmoo self-propelled multiple rocket launchers (MRLS) and their munitions at a cabinet session on Friday, the Zagreb daily J
Seoul joins global arms race with record defense spending
South Korea is joining a global rearmament push by packaging the largest military spending increase in nearly two decades against widening geopolitical conflict, changing warfare and U.S. pressure on allies to shoulder more of their own defense The government has proposed a record 73.28 trillion won ($54.0 billion) defense budget for 2027, up 8.2 percent from this year, with much of the additional money directed toward missile defense, drones, artificial
Hanwha unveils next-gen K9 with drones, wheeled variants
Hanwha Aerospace has unveiled a next-generation operating concept for its K9 self-propelled howitzer that integrates fire-guidance drones to improve battlefield responsiveness. The concepts were presented at the fifth K9 User Club in Tartu, Estonia, from Sept. 2 to 4. More than 200 military and industry representatives from seven K9 user nations, South Korea, Estonia, Poland, Norway, Finland, Romania and Australia attended, along with observers from Spain
Defense nominee: OPCON transfer will strengthen alliance
South Korea's defense minister nominee Kang Shin-chul said Thursday that the transfer of wartime operational control would be pursued in a way that strengthens the alliance with the United States. Kang made the remarks to reporters as he arrived Thursday at the Defense Convention in Seoul's Yongsan district, where he will prepare for his parliamentary confirmation hearing. Asked whether the government could complete the Full Operational Capabil
U.S. moves to deploy multi-domain forces to South Korea
The United States is moving to deploy elements of its Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) to South Korea, potentially strengthening the U.S. military’s ability to counter China’s anti-access and area-denial capabilities in the region, according to reports and sources Wednesday. The Wall Street Journal reported last month that the U.S. Army, under acting Army Chief of Staff Gen. Christopher LaNeve, was moving MDTF forces from Europe to South Korea,
S. Korea builds armored ambulance for combat evacuation
South Korea has completed development of an armored ambulance built to reach wounded soldiers in areas its current field ambulances cannot enter. Hyundai Rotem said Tuesday it had finished system development of the vehicle under a program run by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). Design, prototype construction, and test and evaluation were carried out with domestic technology over about two years beginning in 2024. The program cost 1
K-defense gains traction amid localization push
If the AI boom has delivered a windfall for South Korean chipmakers, rising geopolitical risks along Russia’s borders and across the Middle East have pushed Korean weapons makers into the spotlight. Growing pressure for greater self-reliance, fueled by America-first policies and strains among traditional allies, is driving governments across Europe, Asia and the Middle East to sharply increase defense spending and modernize their arsenals. The ru
Airbility raises 6.5 billion won to shoot down drones with drones
A Seoul aerospace startup has closed a Series A round to build small aircraft that hunt other aircraft, betting that the cheapest way to stop an incoming attack drone is another drone rather than a missile. Airbility said Tuesday that the 6.5 billion won ($4.7 million) round was led by Sazze Partners, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm, with existing backer Stonebridge Ventures returning and the Industrial Bank of Korea joining as a new shareholder.
Two Koreas reshuffle military command for very different battles
South and North Korea are reshaping their military leadership at the same time, but for markedly different challenges. Seoul is turning back to a career general to steady an institution unsettled by contentious reforms, while Pyongyang is tightening party control for stronger push into weapons modernization. President Lee Jae Myung's nomination of retired four-star Gen. Kang Shin-chul as defense minister effectively puts a career military officer back in
Hanwha Aerospace signs K9 deal with Spain in Western Europe debut
Hanwha Aerospace has signed a contract with Spanish defense company Indra Sistemas to export K9 self-propelled howitzers, marking the South Korean defense manufacturer’s first entry into the Western European market. Hanwha Aerospace said in a regulatory filing Monday that it signed an execution contract with Indra for the export of K9 self-propelled howitzers and related systems. The company did not disclose the number of systems, contract value or