Korean defense companies are taking part in the DSA 2026 defense exhibition in Malaysia as they seek to expand in Southeast Asia.
South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration, the Korea Institute for Defense Technology Planning and Advancement and the Korea Defense Industry Association are jointly operating a unified Korea pavilion at DSA 2026, being held from April 20 (local time) to April 23 at MITEC in Kuala Lumpur.
Hosted by Malaysia’s Ministry of Defence, DSA 2026 is an international defense cooperation event drawing about 1,400 companies worldwide and government and military officials from more than 60 countries, the organizers said.
A total of 23 Korean companies are participating, including major prime contractors such as LIG Defense & Aerospace (LIG D&A) and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, along with smaller firms and region-based companies.
Eight promising small and midsize Korean defense firms are exhibiting at the unified pavilion, organized through cooperation among DAPA, the institute and the association. The pavilion is intended to strengthen coordination between prime contractors and parts and component suppliers.
Exhibits include battlefield awareness and detection equipment, intelligent command-and-control systems, tactical mobility and operational equipment, and sustainment and maintenance gear.
Products aimed at the operational and maintenance needs of key Southeast Asian countries pursuing military modernization were also on display.
Jeong Gi-yeong, head of DAPA’s Future Force Program Bureau, said Southeast Asian countries are pushing to modernize weapon systems and that interest in South Korea is high because it can offer both fast delivery and cost-effectiveness.
Kim Tae-gon, a cooperation official at DAPA, said participation in DSA 2026 could be a major turning point for Korean defense companies to expand market share in Southeast Asia and build a sustainable basis for cooperation. He said the unified Korea pavilion will continue at major global exhibitions, including those in France and Poland, to broaden the reach of South Korea’s defense industry.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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