South Korea eyes expanded arms deals with PH

(First of two parts)

BUSAN, South Korea — South Korea is looking to expand its defense footprint in the Philippines as part of its goal to be the fourth largest global arms exporter by 2027.

Korean defense firms showcased their latest innovations on maritime security at the International Maritime Defense Exhibition (Madex) 2025 from May 28 to 31 in Busan, a large port city some 300 kilometers south of Seoul.

Non-Korean defense companies from 14 countries also took part in the event, which was attended by more than 100 delegates from 30 countries, including officials from the Department of National Defense (DND), Philippine Navy (PN) and Philippine Marine Corps. The Inquirer joined upon the invitation of the organizer Kyungyon Exhibition Corp.

South Korea is among the Philippines’ top arms suppliers ranging from frigates to light fighters. Manila is soon expected to sign a contract to double the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) light combat aircraft fleet with a new batch of 12 FA-50 Block 70 light fighters from Korea Aerospace Industries worth around P40 billion, government sources told the Inquirer.

READ: Inside South Korea’s race to become one of the world’s biggest arms dealers

The future BRP Diego Silang, the second of two Malvar-class guided-missile frigates ordered from HD Hyundai for P28 billion in 2021, is scheduled for delivery in September.

READ: PH signs ‘defense cooperation’ MOU with S. Korea

The first of six offshore patrol vessels also built by HD Hyundai from a P30-billion deal in 2022, the future BRP Rajah Sulayman, will be launched on June 11 at the Ulsan shipyard. Its delivery is expected in March 2026.

Hyundai proposal

HD Hyundai is also setting its sights on a second frigate acquisition project by the PN. Military sources said the approved budget contract was estimated at P34 billion excluding ammunition and missiles.

Donghan Kang, the Korean shipbuilder’s senior sales manager for the international defense program, told the Inquirer their proposal would likely be similar to the Malvar-class frigates.

Kang takes pride in HD’s “capability, value and timeliness” in shipbuilding. “We deliver all the ships  before the contractual delivery time. And we have the capability, based on the experience with the Korean Navy, we know how to design based on the requirements,” he said.

He added that they “value the Philippines not just as a customer, but as a partner.”

Korean aerospace manufacturer LIG Nex 1, which had previously delivered C-Star antiship missiles and Blue Shark torpedoes for the PN, hopes to expand its sales to the Philippine Army and Philippine Marine Corps with Raybolt antitank guided missiles, and to the PAF with the short range air defense system Chiron, medium range surface to air missiles (MSAM 2) and Korean GPS guided bombs as part of a “K-defense solution,” according to its chief manager Hyundong Hong.

Hanwha Systems, the supplier of the PN’s combat management systems for the warships built by HD Hyundai, seeks to continue to be part of upcoming projects “for sustainability and commonality” and easy upgrades, Eric Yun, director/head of overseas business division, told the Inquirer.

Hanwha Land Systems is also promoting its amphibious assault vehicles, K9 self-propelled howitzers and Chunmoo rocket artillery systems to the Philippine Marine Corps, said Yohan Kim, regional manager of the K9 artillery team.

Maritime ICT solution company Marineworks also seeks to provide a “smart ship solution” to enhance Philippine Navy operations to visualize a big picture of the operating environment, said CEO Yongdae Kim. /cb

(2025/06/02-05:15)