Washington: More than a dozen South Korean defense firms showcased their advanced military products at a major exhibition in Washington, seeking to establish or strengthen their presence in the U.S. market. The event comes as South Korea and the United States aim to deepen defense industrial cooperation to address challenges such as those posed by North Korea.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the products on display at the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) 2025 Annual Meeting and Exposition at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center included a range of high-tech solutions from a self-propelled howitzer to advanced communication devices and gun aiming systems. The Korean firms set up a "Korean Pavilion" at the exhibition, which featured some 780 enterprises from 92 countries, highlighting the U.S. efforts to leverage allies' industrial capacities amid growing Sino-U.S. rivalry.
The exhibitors included Hanwha Aerospace Co., Poongsan Corp., Samyang Chemical Co., Korea Defense Industry Corp, Arion Communication Co., and D.I. Optical Co. Hanwha Aerospace showcased its K9A1 self-propelled howitzer and a new K9A2 system, indicating its commitment to the U.S. defense market through technological and industrial capabilities. Michael Coulter, president and CEO at Hanwha Global Defense, expressed optimism about the company's future in the U.S., emphasizing their technology and industrial capacity.
Arion Communication Co. presented the SAT-PRE, a communication device for long-range operations, already supplied to South Korea's military and aimed at U.S. market entry. Samsung Electronics also participated, showcasing its "Tactical Edition" mobile device, designed to enhance military situational awareness and decision-making.
Korea Defense Industry Corp. displayed high-tech fuses for artillery systems, while Samyang Chemical Co. introduced a smoke grenade, an infrared screening smoke pot, and a counter-terrorism suit, with plans to join the U.S. Army's Foreign Comparative Testing program. D.I. Optical Co. highlighted its machine gun optics technology, and Poongsan Corp. showcased diverse ammunition products, seeking to expand its business opportunities.