CNN: "South Korea Emerges as a Major Weapons Supplier to U.S. Allies"

[Financial News] The prominent American media outlet CNN reported that South Korea is establishing itself as a major weapons supplier to U.S. allies.

CNN stated on the 12th (local time) that "South Korea has become a key weapons supplier to U.S. allies," citing the example of arms exports to Poland. Poland decided to purchase an additional 180 South Korean-made K2 tanks under a weapons purchase agreement with South Korea in 2022.

The Polish Ministry of Defense announced in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that 60 of the 180 K2 tanks will be produced in Poland. The first 30 tanks included in the contract are expected to arrive next year.

CNN predicted that this deal will not only demonstrate Poland's emergence as a major military power in Europe but also solidify South Korea's status as a major weapons supplier.

According to the 2024 report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), South Korea's arms export volume has rapidly risen to the 10th position globally over the past five years. During this period, 46% of South Korea's arms exports were directed to Poland, followed by the Philippines (14%) and India (7%).

Especially with conflicts occurring around the world depleting the U.S.'s weapons stockpile, South Korea's supply of weapons to U.S. allies is expected to become even more crucial.

In this context, the American think tank Stimson Center analyzed in last year's report that South Korea is gaining attention as an alternative for the U.S., predicting that South Korea's importance could be highlighted even for the U.S. itself in the near future.

The Stimson Center emphasized in the report that "South Korea's defense industry capabilities, particularly in the weapons and shipbuilding sectors, have the potential to directly support the U.S."

The shipbuilding industry is considered a field where South Korea shows particular strength, and CNN reported that the U.S. Navy has already transferred maintenance contracts for naval supply ships to South Korean shipyards due to the backlog at American shipyards.
bng@fnnews.com Kim Hee-sun Reporter