Korean defense companies eye on satellite services for growth

The image of an artist’s concept of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite [Photo provided by Hanwha Systems]

South Korean defense companies are entering the satellite service market in pursuit of new growth engines following the successful launch of the country’s homegrown satellite Nuri last week.

According to Morgan Stanley and other industry sources on Tuesday, the global communications satellite market is projected to reach $582 billion in 2040, up from $173 billion in 2020. The global market for ground equipment for satellite communications is also projected to reach $196 billion in 2040.

Korean defense companies such as Hanwha Systems Co. and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) are preparing to advance into the satellite service market with hopes to take the lead in the commercial telecommunications and navigation sectors.

Hanwha Systems has partnered with the British satellite service provider OneWeb to kick off a telecommunications business.

“With an investment worth $300 million in the British provider, we had already announced our entry into communications services that utilize low-orbit satellites in 2021,” said an unnamed company official. “The efforts are underway to get a certification as a telecommunications provider.”

The company’s focus has been on business-to-business satellite services as it has sought to use its defense capabilities to facilitate its entry into the commercial communications satellite market.

KAI is turning to services of satellite image analysis. It has partnered with Meissa, an artificial intelligence-based image solution provider, to build a joint corporation named Meissa Planet.

“We seek to create a new value-chain that prioritizes software services and are now weighing the options for bulk exports of aircraft and satellite image services,” the company said.

LIG Nex1 Co. announced the expansion of its satellite services portfolio through an entry into the development of ground vehicles designed to operate synthetic aperture radar for constellation satellites.