The domestic light fighter FA-50GF (left) delivered to the Polish Air Force on Aug. 15, 2023, goes on its maiden flight in Poland to mark Armed Forces Day. (Korea Aerospace Industries)

By Charles Audouin

The country has reshaped the defense industry landscape over the past five years in emerging as the No. 2 supplier of weapons to NATO member countries in Europe after the U.S.

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute on March 9 said this in its 2025 report on the global transfer of arms.

From 2021-25, the U.S. accounted for 58% of arms imports for NATO's 29 European member states, followed by Korea (8.6%), Israel (7.7%) and France (7.4%). The volume of such shipments jumped 143% over that period from that of 2016-20.

Also from 2021-25, Korea entered the ranks of the world's top 10 arms exporters. The U.S. was first with 42% of such shipments, followed by France (9.8%), Russia (6.8%), Germany (5.7%), China (5.6%), Italy (5.1%), Israel (4.4%) and the U.K. (3.4%).

Korea is also a major weapons supplier to Europe thanks to large contracts for the K2 main battle tank, K9 self-propelled howitzer and FA-50 light fighter. From 2021-25, Korea accounted for 47% of Poland's arms imports.

The volume of such imports in Korea fell 54% over the same period, however. The report said, "Its arms imports fell by 54 per cent compared with 2016-20. The decrease partly stemmed from South Korea's growing ability to design and produce its own major arms, making it less reliant on imports."

The global volume of major weapon transfers rose 9.2% from 2021-25 compared to that from 2016-2020.

caudouin@korea.kr