Korea designated as ‘lead nation’ at MSPO in Poland

Korea’s defense companies gathered in Poland for this year’s International Defense Industry Exhibition (MSPO), one of the largest trade fairs for military equipment in Europe, as it eyes growth opportunities in the region.

Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan, center left, speaks with Polish President Andrzej Duda, right, at the International Defense Industry Exhibition (MSPO) 2023 held in Kielce, Poland, in front of a scale model of Hanwha Ocean's 3,000-ton KSS-III submarine on Tuesday. [HANWHA OCEAN]

Korea’s defense companies gathered in Poland for this year’s International Defense Industry Exhibition (MSPO), one of the largest trade fairs for military equipment in Europe, as it eyes growth opportunities in the region.

Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan took to the arms fair on Tuesday, including meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda.

The 2023 edition of the MSPO, a Polish acronym for Miedzynarodowy Salon Przemysłu Obronnego, runs for four days until Friday in Kielce, Poland. Korea is participating as the “lead nation” of the event, reflecting the bolstered ties between the two countries.

This is the second time Korea has taken the role, as the country was the lead nation for the MSPO in 2017.

The MSPO names a lead nation every year, which constructs the Lead Nation’s Exhibition at the event to present the country’s defense capabilities.

Poland became one of the biggest customers for Korea’s defense companies last year after the country signed contracts worth $14 billion to acquire 180 K-2 main battle tanks, 212 K-9 self-propelled howitzers and 48 FA-50 light fighters.

Over 700 companies from 35 countries took part in this year’s MSPO, which is in its 31st year, with 30 Korean companies included. Hanwha, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), Hyundai Rotem, Kia and LIG Nex1 are among the list of those who set up exhibition booths.

KAI, Korea’s sole aircraft manufacturer, showcased scale models of the FA-50 light attack aircraft, which was exported to Poland, a KF-21 fighter jet and its light-armed helicopter. The company plans to focus on marketing its warplanes to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) nations and European countries.

At the MSPO venue on Tuesday, KAI CEO Kang Goo-young gave a briefing to President Duda and Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszcza on the company’s product line-ups including the FA-50 and the KF-21.

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) CEO Kang Goo-young introduces FA-50 and KF-21 aircrafts to Polish President Andrzej Duda at the International Defense Industry Exhibition (MSPO) 2023 held in Kielce, Poland, on Tuesday. [KAI]

KAI delivered the first FA-50GF plane to Poland in July, 10 months after the deal was signed. KAI is scheduled to deliver 11 more FA-50s before the end of the year as part of a contract it signed with Poland’s Armament Agency to supply Warsaw with a total of 48 FA-50 aircraft.

On Tuesday, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with Poland’s state-run Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) for follow-up support regarding the FA-50 planes, alongside future cooperation.

Meanwhile, Hanwha companies — Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems and Hanwha Ocean — organized a large-scale 375-square-meter (4,036-square-foot) exhibition booth at the venue.

Hanwha Aerospace showcased its Unmanned Ground Combat Vehicle, or UGCV, equipped with a surface-to-surface missile system for the first time at the arms fair, along with its Redback infantry fighting vehicle and new robots that detect explosive ordnance and mines.

Hanwha Ocean displayed its 3,000-ton KSS-III (Jangbogo-III) Batch 2, a hybrid model fueled by diesel and lithium-ion batteries jointly developed with Hanwha Aerospace that ensure three times the endurance of conventional lead-acid batteries.

Kia's military vehicles including a hydrogen-power ATV concept car, far left, are displayed at the MSPO 2023 arms fair held in Kielce, Poland. [KIA]

Hanwha’s Vice Chairman Kim walked Duda through the company’s defense systems on Tuesday, according to Hanwha Aerospace, highlighting the advanced features of the KSS-III Batch 2. Poland is currently pursuing the “Orka” program estimated to be worth 3 trillion won ($2.25 billion) to procure three to four 3,000-ton submarine vessels.

Hanwha Aerospace recently set up its first European subsidiary in Poland.

Kia’s hydrogen-powered light tactical vehicle ATV concept car made its European debut at the event. The carmaker also displayed its four-seater light tactical cargo truck and a light tactical vehicle armed with a mortar system.

BY SHIN HA-NEE [shin.hanee@joongang.co.kr]